The molecular marker is a useful tool for assessing genetic variations and resolving cultivar
identities. Information on genetic diversity and relationships among rice landraces from
Bangladesh is currently very limited. Thirty-five rice genotypes including 33 landraces and
01 HYV of Bangladesh and 1 Indian landrace of particular interest to breeding programs
were evaluated by means of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. For
molecular characterization, RAPD markers viz., OPC 03, OPC 04 and OPA 01 gave
reproducible and distinct polymorphic amplified products. A total of 20 RAPD bands were
scored of which 15 polymorphic amplification products were obtained by using these
arbitrary primers. The size of amplified fragments were ranged from 550 to 1775 bp. Based
on analysis performed on a similarity matrix using UPGMA, 35 genotypes were grouped into
2 main clusters. Landrace Sylhet balam and Mota aman was totally different from other
genotypes. The information will facilitate selection of genotypes to serve as parents for
effective rice breeding programs in Bangladesh.