[Objective] The study aimed at analyzing the genetic relationship of 64 local varieties of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.from the Pearl River Basin in Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces.[Method] Genetic diversity of 64 local varieties of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.was analyzed by ISSR molecular marker technique.The genetic relationship among these local varieties was researched by UPGMA method based on the genetic similarity coefficient.[Result] 128 bands were amplified from the total DNA of 64 local varieties using 13 ISSR primers,of which 109 bands accounting for 85.15% were polymorphic.It meant that there was rich genetic diversity among the local varieties tested.The genetic similarity coefficients among 64 local varieties were relatively high with a range of 0.500 0-0.929 7.In addition,64 local varieties were divided into two categories and the second could be further divided into 10 subcategories.It was suggested that the genetic relationship of 64 local varieties of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.based on ISSR marker analysis has a certain correlation with geographical distribution.[Conclusion] ISSR marker technology was suitable for evaluating genetic relationship and genetic diversity of local varieties of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.in Pearl River Basin,and could provide scientific basis for DNA fingerprinting and identification of varieties of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.
