ABSTRACT
RAPD-PCR RFLP of the 18S r-RNA gene and chloroplast DNA polymorphisms were employed to estimate the genetic similarity among five different genotypes of pepper [Capsicum ammum L.]. RAPD analysis was performed using ten random primers. The genetic similarity was estimated as band sharing [BS] for each primer between the genotypes [B 1, B2, K9, AC and F[1], of the last two]. The results showed the highest genetic similarity of 90.0% between genotypes B2 and AC. This high numeric similarity suggested a common lineage or a very little genetic variation existing between these two genotypes. The lowest genetic similarity of 74.0% was detected between genotypes B1 and F[1]. Two pairs of primers were used to amplify 18 S-RNA gene and chloroplast DNA. Both the restriction fragment patterns of the 18S r-RNA gene using four restriction enzymes viz. BamH I, EcoR I, Hind III and Hinf I; and the patterns of chloroplast DNA did not reveal any polymorphism. The obtained data demonstrated the usefulness of molecular analyses in the detection of genetic relationships and evaluating the relative effectiveness of the different types of DNA-based markers in revealing variation among Egyptian and foreign pepper genotypes