Evaluation of genetic diversity of Dendrobium officinale wild populations based on RAMP markers

Random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) markers were used to access the genetic diversity among 112 samples of nine populations of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo.  Using 16 informative primers, 123 bands were amplified and 86 (69.92%) were polymorphic.  The polymorphic bands from three to eight could be detected for each RAMP primer, with a mean of 5, indicating abundant genetic diversity among populations.  Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.250 to 0.813.  UPGMA dendrogram illustrated 9 populations clustered into 3 groups, and the cluster pattern showed correlation with the locations of the D. officinale populations.  These results were supported by the previous conclusions that were achieved by other molecular markers, and RAMP is proved to be effective for evaluating the genetic diversity of wild populations of Dendrobium officinale.