DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity analysis helps direct selective breeding and conservation of plant species. Since simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers are co-dominant, they can predict level of genetic diversity and thereby protect plant genetic resources of a region. Keeping the aforesaid rationale in mind, we worked on molecular characterization of eight cotton varieties in Bangladesh using simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite DNA markers. All the three microsatellite DNA markers were found to be polymorphic, extracting a total of eight alleles with an average of 2.67 alleles per locus in the present study. Allele sizes were as 149-155 bp, 178-198 bp and 140-202 bp for the loci BNL1551, BNL1721 and BNL2960, respectively. Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values were ranged from 0.469 to 0.531. UPGMA dendrogram separated 8 varieties of cotton into two clusters. One cluster contained six varieties CB-1, CB-2, CB-3, CB-7, CB-9 and CB-10 while other two varieties CB-5 and HC 1 formed another cluster. The findings of this study would provide a useful guide for selecting specific germplasm with distinct genetic background for diversifying cotton breeding program in Bangladesh.
