Genetic diversity within the genus Pleurotus determined by random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) analysis

Random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) analysis was done to assess the diversity among 10 species of Pleurotus. Understanding of the pattern not only addresses questions concerning evolutionary process and the development of conservation strategies, but also a pre-requisite of the efficient use of genetic resources in breeding programme. The RAPD dendogram obtained by using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) programme were grouped into the investigated strains into five clusters. RAPD bands were scored as present (1) or absent (0) for all the Pleurotus isolate. Each band was assumed to represent a unique genetic locus. The pattern and extent of RAPD variation were analysed with respect to primer, polymorphic locus and isolate. Total number of amplified fragment and polymorphic fragment produced by 40 decamer primer was 229 and 226, respectively. Polymorphism percentage was 98.69. Ten primers; SBSA11, SBSA13, SBSA15, SBSA16, SBSA18, SBSA19, SBSA20, SBSB14, SBSB15 and SBSB17 were not amplified to the DNA from any of the isolate.