Abstract: The genetic relationships among a variety, a hybrid and 18 Mei flower cultivars were preliminarily investigated using AFLP. Nineteen selected primer combinations revealed 918 legible loci, 324 of which were polymorphic ones that accounting for 35.29% of the total. Based on the SAS average similarity cluster analysis, 20 Mei samples were classified into four groups as λ=0.9759. P. mume var. cernua showed the highest polymorphism among these samples. 'Duoezhusha' and 'Fubanxiaogongfen' showed less polymorphism than P. mume var. cernua. In the group IV, AFLP and cluster analysis results were as follows: Parentages of some Mei flower cultivars were successfully identified. The results showed differences between 'Xiaogongfen', 'Jiangnanzhusha' and their hybrids which would be useful to clear the confusions of homonyms and synonyms. There were close genetic relationships among cultivars of pendulous group, which supported traditionally classified system using branch gesture as the important morphological character in Mei flowers. The pendulous cultivars were more evolutionary than others, which is in conform with their cultivated history. These results demonstrate that AFLP technique is an efficient method for evaluating the genetic relationships and diversity of Mei flower.

Key words: Prunus mume, AFLP, Cluster analysis, Genetic relationships