Abstract: 【Objective】The objective of this study is to make clear the origin and evolution of Corchorus with two molecular methods (SRAP and ISSR). 【Method】Ninety-six jute germplasms were analysed with sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) combining with inter-simple sequence related (ISSR) method. The phylogenetic trees of Corchorus were constructed by MEGA and DPS software, and the divergence time of jute germplasm was calculated. 【Result】 The relative wild species located at the basic position of the dendrogram, and the divergence time of which was the longest, which indicated the relative wild species originated earliest and was the ancestors of cultivated jute. Africa was the center of origin of Corchorus, while China was the second original center of Corchorus. Among all the olitorius species, the divergence time of wild and cultivated species from Africa was the longest, so Africa was the center of origin for wild and cultivated olitorius species, while the areas which border on India, Burma and China was the second center of origin for cultivated olitorius species. South China, countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia which border on China were the origin center of wild capsularis species, and South region of China was the origin center of cultivated capsularis species. Taken together, the divergence time of the cultivated capsularis species was shorter than olitorius species, indicating this biotype originated later than olitorius species. 【Conclusion】 Africa has an important position in origin of Corchorus, which was the primary origin center of wild species, wild and cultivated olitorius species. South region of China was the origin center of cultivated capsularis species. The divergence time and phylogenetic trees of Corchorus were calculated more comprehensively by SRAP markers combining with ISSR molecular markers, and the scientific conclusion on origin and evolution of Corchorus was got with above methods.

Key words: Corchorus, origin, evolution, SRAP, ISSR