In order to exploit the beneficial genetic resources in einkorn wheat, one hundred SSR (single sequence repeat) markers that locate on the A genome of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n=6x=42, AABBDD) were used to characterize genetic diversity of 34 einkorn accessions. The results revealed that 69 pairs of primers yielded polymorphism among the 34 accessions, and 670 alleles were identified, with a range of 3-19 alleles per locus. In addition, there was an average of 10 alleles per locus. Loci polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.167 to 0.887, and the average PIC was 0.691. By using cluster analysis method, the 34 einkorn accessions could be classified into 3 groups. In addition, the disease resistances of these 34 einkorn wheat accessions were evaluated at seedling stage in greenhouse. 15 accessions were resistant to powdery mildew, 21 accessions resistant to leaf rust, 12 accessions resistant to both diseases. The results indicated that einkorn wheat contains abundant genetic variation and might be useful as an important genetic resource for common wheat improvement.