Objective: To explore the genome difference of four species of Cuscuta in different hosts.
Method: RAPD was used by 50 primers.
Result: Four species of genus Cuscuta can be identified by 8 primers. Both Cuscuta chinensis and C. australis from Subg. Grammica had 3 bands whose molecular weights were 1.3 kb, 1.45 kb and 1.53 kb respectively. C. japonica and C. lupuliformis from Subg. Monogyna had a 1.48 kb specific band. Cuscuta of same subgenus had similar RAPD result and close genetic relationship. Same species of Cuscuta in different hosts showed DNA polymorphism. It indicated that hosts can affect genome of Cuscuta to some extent.
Conclusion: RAPD can be used to identify the species of Cuscuta or same Cuscuta in different hosts.