DETECTION OF INTERSPECIFIC AND INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION IN PANICUM MILLETS THROUGH RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA

The potential use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was evalu ated as a source of genetic markers for studying variation among four species of Panicum and within the crop species P. miliaceum and P. sum atrense. Polymorphism in RAPD markers was observed across and within s pecies. The four species were distinct in RAPD patterns and were separ ated at low correlation values even with small samples involving singl e genotypes per species. Accessions of P. miliaceum were grouped accor ding to geographical regions of origin. The study demonstrated that un like isozyme and protein electrophoresis patterns, RAPD markers can be applied to studying genetic diversity, defining gene pools, and ident ifying cultivars for this group of millets.