Abstract: Inverse sequence-tagged repeat (ISTR) molecularmarkerwas emp loyed to investigate genetic relationship s of 32 genotypes rep resentative of 7 species including Diospyros kaki Thunb. , D. lotus L. , D.glaucifoliaMetc. , D. oleifera Cheng. , Jinzaoshi (D. sp. ) , D. rhom bifolia Hemsl. and D. virginiana L.ISTR showed good discriminatory power between genotypes, with excep tion of one bud mutation and its original variety. The clustering results derived from ISTR molecular data was in good agreementwith the p revious studies or known genetic relationship s of some genotypes, indicating that ISTR could be app lied for the genus of Diospy ros. Both unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and p rincipal coordinated analysis ( PCOA) results separated Japanese persimmon into different group s, indicating their different genetic background. The new found several Chinese native PCNA varieties showed abundant genetic diversity based on ISTR analysis, aswell aswith Japanese native PCNA types, suggesting that theymay be potential and p recious breedingmaterials. In summary, ISTR would be a potential efficient tool for further germp lasm differentiation, genetic diversity assessment and phylogenetic analysis in Diospyros.

Key words: Diospyros L., phylogenetic relationship, inverse sequence-tagged repeat, retrotransposon molecular marker