GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR RAPD MARKERS BETWEEN CULTIVATED AND WILD ACCESSIONS OF COFFEA-ARABICA

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been successfully employed to analyse the genetic diversity among cultivated and subspo ntaneous accessions of Coffea arabica. The narrow genetic base of comm ercial cultivars was confirmed. On the other hand, a relatively large genetic diversity was observed within the germplasm collection demonst rating the importance of collecting missions. Results suggested an Eas t-West differentiation in Ethiopia, the primary centre of diversificat ion of C. arabica. The large heterosis effect reported in intergroup h ybrids could be related to such genetic differentiation. RAPD method a ppeared to be effective in resolving genetic variations and in groupin g germplasm in C. arabica.