Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis in diploid cultivars of rhodesgrass

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to detect genetic variation in a sample of 47 plants representing 12 diploid c ultivars of rhodesgrass. In this analysis, 50-91 easily scorable fragments could be detected in a single reaction. Each of the individual plants was u niquely identified by a combination of three primer pairs and an 80.2% leve l of polymorphism was obtained. Large amounts of genetic variation were pre sent within all the cultivars. The results showed that AFLPs could be a rob ust technique for genome analysis in rhodesgrass with a promising potential as a breeding tool.