Objective Genetic relationship and diversity of Wuyishan tea germplasms known for their outstanding flavor quality were studied to facilitate resource utilization.

Method Fifty-five tea germplasms in the Wuyishan region and 33 main varieties in Fujian were collectively analyzed by using the EST-SSR capillary electrophoresis fluorescence labeling technique to determine their genetic relationship and diversity.

Result The amplified 24 pairs of primers on 88 DNA specimens showed a high genetic diversity among the germplasms. The close genetic relationship among the cultivars of Neiguidong and Yangzhuang Town was clustered in Group Ⅰ. Baijiguan, a local yellowing tea, and Fudingdabaicha along with their hybrid offsprings of Fuyun series were in Group Ⅱ. And the major oolong teas in Fujian, including Dahongpao, Tieguanyin, Huangdan, Rougui, and their descendants, were in Group Ⅲ. The Shannon’s index of genetic diversity of Group Ⅰ was 1.198, which was higher than those of Group Ⅱ at 1.077 and Group Ⅲ at 1.079. The genetic distance between Group I and Group Ⅲ was the greatest among all.

Conclusion Genetically, the Wuyishan germplasms were highly similar but significantly differed from the mainstream varieties in the province. Consequently, for prudent resource conservation, it would be advisable to centrally organize an extended core collection with precise identifications to include the species for the advanced development of oolong teas.