RAPD ANALYSIS OF ACANTHOPANAX-SENTICOSUS GENETIC DIVERSITY

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis has been used widely in detecting genetic diversity at population level. A total of 49 indi vidual plants of Acanthopanax senticosus from three populations in Nor theast China were randomly sampled. Genomic DNA was extracted and puri fied from fresh leaves. Intensive RAPD analysis was conducted. The pro portions of polymorphic RAPD loci in the three populations were 93.5%, 91.3% and 97.6%, respectively. The average values of genetic diversit y of A, senticosus within populations were 0.241, 0.363 and 0.388. The average genetic distances between each population were 0.435, 0.390 a nd 0.412. These results revealed a high level of genetic diversity of A. senticosus both within and between its natural populations, indicat ing that it is a flourishing species.