Abstract

J.N. Wolukau, R.M. Gesimba, J.K.Nyamari, J.F. Chen and X.H. Zhou

The genetic relationships among 40 melon (C. melo L.) genotypes, mostly F1 hybrids of varietal group melo were assessed by analyzing 96 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) bands generated by 37 primers. A relatively high level of polymorphism (24.7%) was revealed. The mean genetic distance among the genotypes was 0.361. There was a higher level of genetic variation among the landraces (GD 0.401) than among the hybrids (GD 0.361). The lowest level of genetic variation was recorded among the PIs maintained at USDA (GD 0.262). The relatively high level of genetic variation revealed from this small sample warrants further investigation to provide information leading to more effective strategies and goals for hybridization and long term germplasm management.