ABSTRACT
Object In order to identify the resources of official and unofficial plants in Rheum L.at molecular level, a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed. Methods The amplification program of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was optimized. Arbitrary decamer primers of 121 based on the individual selecting method, and 64 based on the BSA method were screened. Results Four primers among all screened primers were found to be useful to amplify specific strips to the official plants of Rheum L. Conclusion This method is reliable, accurate, quick and reproducible for authenticating the official and unofficial plants of Rheum L. at molecular level. Moreover, the experiment results indicate that it is more effective to screen the primers using BSA method than using individual selecting method.