Clarification of Sumatran Mulberry (Morus macroura var. macroura, Moraceae) from West Sumatra, Indonesia using Nucleus Ribosomal ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) Gene

Abstract

Background: Morus macroura Miq. is a potential tree species belonging to the Mulberry group, and consider as flora identity of West Sumatra Province with local name is Andalas. This germplasm tropical tree species utilize widely by local West Sumatran people for various purposes such as wood material to construct the traditional house of ethnic Minangkabau and medicinal substance for multiple diseases. However, the population numbers of this species were decreased and rare due to overexploitation without effort for planting. Based on this reason, it is imperative to conserve and utilize sustainable Mulberry. There is a highlight confusion to clarify that M. macroura from Sumatra population similar to Himalayan Mulberry. For this reason, it is essential to define the crucial local M. macroura from Sumatra (Sumatran Mulberry) for its conservation and sustainable utilization. Method: In this study, the leaves from seven individuals of M. macroura collected from West Sumatra were used for DNA extraction and processed to the next step of the analysis. Four individuals of Himalayan Mulberry and both of two out-group, White Mulberry (M. alba), and Black Mulberry (M. nigra) were used in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed using two ITS markers (ITS5-F and ITS4-R) with an annealing temperature of 55oC. The PCR products were purified and sequenced by Macrogen USA DNA Sequencing. The phyllogenetic relationship between seven accessions and two of out-group (M. alba and M. nigra) were analyzed using the MEGA6 program. Result: The result indicated that all of the accessions M. macroura from Sumatra were grouped into the same cluster and separated to the Himalayan Mulberry group. The differentiation between Sumatran Mulberry and other Mulberry reflected in morphological and haplotype differentiation indicated that the Sumatran Mulberry as the different group and suggested as a variety with scientific name is M. macroura Miq. var. macroura. This clarification is useful for conservation and sustainable utilization of this variety, a specific Mulberry from Sumatra.