Genetic Diversity and Relationship of 43 Rhododendron sp. Based on RAPD Analysis

In this study, 49 samples of 43 Rhododendron sp. were studied by using RAPD to analyze their genetic diversity, relative ship and phylogeny. Four hundred and seven DNA fragments were amplified by 24 primers, the polymorphic rate was up to 98.03%. Their coefficient of Genetic Similarity (GS) was ranging from 0.2623~0.9059, which indicated rich genetic diversity in Rhododendron. The results showed that: 43 Rhododendron sp. were divided into 3 groups by RAPD, which was consistent with the division based on morphological characters, subgenus Hymenanthes had a closer relationship with subgenus Rhododendron than subgenus Pseudorhodorastrum and subgenus Hymenanthes was more primitive in phylogeny, subgenus Pseudorhodorastrum was the evolutive group in morphological characters, while subgenus Rhododendron was the transition one.