Abstract
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess genetic diversity in Cassia senna (L.). RAPD technique was carried out in a set of 27 (C. senna (L.) genotypes collected from different regions of Sudan. A total of 27 polymorphisms (5.2 polymorphic markers per primer) out of 31 reproducible products (7.5 fragments per primer) were obtained from the 6 primers used. The number of bands per primer ranged from 4 to 7, whereas the number of polymorphic bands ranged from 3 to 6, corresponding to 60% of the amplification products. Low level of genetic similarity was observed in the collected genotypes. Six random primers, each with 10 bases generated a total of 27 polymorphic bands out of the 31 total bands, that is, polymorphism of 60% was observed. Molecular variance (STATISTCA) was used to investigate the genetic diversity of the populations. UPGMA clustering resulted in two major clades. It was concluded that high level of polymorphism found suggests that RAPD techniques can be useful for studying C. senna.