Abstract: By using 40 random primers and 8 anchor-SSR primers, RAPD and microsatellite DNA (SSR) polymorphism were detected in the ancient "Taizi lotus" and the modem Chinese red flower lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. ) from Hebei, Harbin (wild population), Jiangxi and Hunan (cultivar). The polymorphism information could be provided with 13 random primers and 2 SSR primers. Total 135 loci were amplified, 71 loci of these were polymorphic (53%). Agarose electrophoresis showed high genetic identity without any genetic variation whithin "Taizi" and Harbin lotus by using the above-mentioned 15 primers. However, there were different extent of differentiation within Hebei, Jiangxi and Hunan lotus. According to the UPGMA analysis of MEGA program, "Taizi", Harbin and Hebei lotus were gathered to a branch in the dendrogram. The genetic distance of "Taizi" and Hebei lotus were very close (0.05). They shared a common ancestry. Comparing with the modem Chinese lotus ( N. nucifera ), the ancient "Taizi" lotus only lacked one locusOPM06-300, so it still belonged to N. nucifera. Hunan and Jiangxi lotus were close to gather and could be grouped in another branch. Their genetic distances from the ancient "Taizi" lotus were farthest (0.67).

Key words: Ancient "Taizi" lotus, Chinese red flower lotus, RAPD, Germplasm analysis