Polymerase chain reaction was used, with single 10-mer primers of arbitrary sequence, to amplify random regions of genomic DNA from a diploid cultivated alfalfa backcross population. Segregation of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments was analysed to determine if RAPD markers are suitable for use as genetic markers. Of the 19 primers tested, 13 amplified a total of 37 polymorphic fragments, of which 28 (76%) segregated as dominant Mendelian traits. RAPD markers appear useful for the rapid development of genetic information in species like alfalfa where little information currently exists or is difficult to obtain.