Characterization of the genetic diversity of common beans by RAPD markers

RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers were used to evaluate the g enetic diversity among 19 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars. Am plifications using 15 decamers primers revealed 108 RAPD loci, 70 of which were polymorphic. The relative genetic distance was estimated using the com plement of Jaccard's coefficient and grouping analyses were derived from UP GMA and Tocher. These two grouping analyses confirmed the broad genetic div ersity among the common bean tropical germplasm, which was divided into two main groups. These groups correspond to the Andean (genotypes with medium and large size seeds) and Mesoamerican (genotypes with small seeds) domesti cation centers. The relative genetic diversity was greater among the Andean cultivars than that of the Mesoamerican cultivars.