Based on DNA extraction and optimization of random amplified reaction (RAPD) to the gametophytes and sporophytes of Kelp “901” strain, genetic study on variation was conducted to its parents and offsprings of F6, F7, F8, and F9 generation. RAPD results have shown that among 30 selected primers for gametophytes, 297 loci ranging from 200 to 3 000 bp were obtained in the average of 9.9 loci for each primer. This indicated a high polymorphic rate with RAPD detection. UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method arithmetic average) analysis showed that each male and female gametophyte of a generation could be clustered into one pair separately. The genetic distances of the Kelp 901 generation were 0.321 2–0.476 7, and the maximum was between F7 and F8 (0.476 7). Identity analysis showed that F6 generation was more close to the female parent (0.659 3), and F7 generation was more close to the male parent (0.578 8). To the sporophytes study in 24 selected primers for RAPD amplification, 191 loci ranging from 230-2 800 bp were obtained, in the average to each primer of 8.0 loci. The heterozygosity to six populations were male parent (0.223 9), female parent (0.107 2), F6 (0.216 4), F7 (0.228 6), F8 (0.229 6) and F9 (0.317 2). The nearest genetic distance was 0.083 5 (F8, F9). Total heterozygosity (HT) of F6, F7, F8 and F9 generations was 0.318 6, the average heterozygosity (HS) for F6, F7, F8 and F9 generations was 0.248 0, and deduced coefficient of population differentiation (Gst ) was 22.2%. Six sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) were preliminary screened through RAPD analysis. It needed to be verified in detail as they are significant for molecular marker assistance in breeding and selecting Laminaria.
