The goal of the presented research was to examine the genetic diversity and
RAPD markers associated with high oil trait in sunflower genotypes developed at
Suranaree University of Technology (SUT). Ten inbred lines were assessed with 48
RAPD markers, and only 15 markers could amplify DNA and gave polymorphic bands.
The results revealed that, among the set of 10 genotypes, the calculated PIC value for
RAPD ranged from 0.04 to 0.56 with an average 0.27. This indicates that these markers
have a low polymorphic capability. The genetic similarity based on these RAPD
markers ranged 0.60-0.89 with an average 0.75, suggesting that these sunflower
genotypes had genetically close relationship. The dendrogram using the UPGMA
algorithm based on RAPD marker systems divided the 10 sunflower genotypes into two
main groups regardless of high oil content. However, the dendrogram appears
conserved with their relative history data. The results of PCoA, which was done to
visualize the genetic relationships among the inbred lines, well corresponded to those
obtained through UPGMA cluster analysis. In conclusion, the genetic diversity data
among inbred lines may be useful for germplasm conservation and for the selection of
parental lines for hybrid breeding in sunflowers.