Abstract：RAPD analysis was applied to analysis the genetic diversities of 41 wax gourd（Benincasa hispida Cogn.）and chieh-qua（Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua How）germplasm. 23 polymorphic primers screened out of 455 random primers were used and 143 reproducible bands were produced. Among them, 81 bands were polymorphic and polymorphism detection rate was 56.6 %. This indicated that genetic diversity of wax gourd and chieh-qua germplasm was very rich. RAPD data were analysized by NTSYSpc software, and results showed that the genetic similarity was among the range of 0.60 to 0.99. 41 germplasm were divided into 6 groups and 9 subgroups by clustering analysis, while 6 groups and 10 subgroups by the principal coordinates analysis. The results of germplasm classification according to the above two methods were generally the same.
