Genetic diversity of 38 high yielding rice varieties was assessed using a set of 31 rice microsatellite markers. A total of 136 alleles were amplified, of which 135 were polymorphic. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged between 0 and 0.976 with an average of 0.888 per locus. Genetic similarities among varieties varied from 0.128 to 0.8 with an average of 0.413. The UPGMA cluster analysis grouped the rice varieties into two major clusters at 0.26 level of genetic similarity. All the varieties included in the study could be uniquely distinguished from each other. The high level of genetic variability was detected among the high yielding rice varieties. The DNA fingerprint data provides basic information on high yielding rice varieties which will be useful for future reference and to protection.
Genetic diversity, Microsatellite marker, Molecular marker
