We used an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, a novel PCR-based technique, to differentiate Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) of Korean races. The 6 strains of Xoo K1, K2, K3 races were tested with 81 AFLP primer combinations to identify the best selective primers. The primer combinations were selected according to their reproducibility, number of polymorphic bands and polymorphism detected among Xoo strains. 18 strains of Xoo K1, K2 and K3 races were analyzed with the selected combinations of primer set. Some primer combinations (Eco R I +1 / Mse I+1) could differentiate Xoo of Korean races that were not distinguished by other fingerprinting analysis. Thus AFLP fingerprinting permitted very fine discrimination among different races.