Amplification rate of matK and rbcL genes in three types of durian

Abstract

Durian is a tropic fruit having numerous variations on its fruits. Its variations are not only in its shape but also in its aril fruit, aril color, flavor, and aril thickness. In addition to its fruit variations, the genus Durio also has many species which quite hard to distinguish morphologically, except during flowering and fruiting times. This study aimed to determine the genetic relationship among Durian, Pelangi Atuturi Variety Durian, Durio graveolent, and Durio zibetinus based on chloroplast genes (RbcL and matK genes). The primers were previously designed for amplifying matK and rbcL genes based on the Durio zibethinus sequence. Both genes were used because of having great competence to describe genetic relationships between plant species. The rbcL primer could amplify all evaluated samples. Meanwhile, matK primer generated a smeared band in Durian Pelangi; thus, we did not obtain any sequence of this plant. Sequence analysis showed no variation of rbcL sequence in these evaluated species. A similar result was also observed on D. zibethinus and D. graveolent. Overall, both genes could not describe the genetic relationship among the evaluated durians, and they were grouped in the same cluster in phylogenetic.