DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) with arbitrary oligonucleotide primers can identify cultivars and specify relationships between closely related plant accessions . The genetic relationships among 21 cultivars of soybean were investigated using DAF markers as discriminating characters. Resolved bands were scored for their presence or abscence in a binary matrix and relationships among cultivars calculated using simple matching coefficient. The results have assisted in the development of a dendrogram suggesting genetic relationships among genotypes. Cluster analysis by unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages showed that 21 cultivars can be placed in two main groups with a similarity ranging from 0.693 to 0.889. Variability observed had a narrow genetic base and it is necessary to expand the diversity of the soybean genetic base with exotic germplasm. The results also indicated that DAF technology can generate molecular markers that can be used reliably for DNA fingerprinting of important cultivars. This tool could be useful in determining relationships as well as and diversity and also in the identification of soybean varieties.
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