EVALUATATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY OF CASHEW (Anacardium occidentale L.) GENOTYPES IN SOUTHEAST VIETNAM BY RAPD TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Understanding genetic diversity and finding genotype–specific DNA fragments are necessary for development of cashew production in Vietnam’s Southeast region. In present study, the genetic relatedness of 12 cashew genotypes was characterized by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique by using 5 primers. The results revealed the relationship among 12 cashew samples ranging from 0.54 to 0.82. Several specific DNA amplifications were also detected which could be used to identify cashew cultivars at molecular level. The findings in this study could be potential for cultivar identification, genetic conservation and breeding of cashew in the region.

Keywords: Anacardium occidentale, cashew, genetic diversity, RAPD