Genetic relationships of local durians from Halmahera by clustering analysis based on morphological characters

Abstract

The genetic relationships of 37 local durians from various villages on the island of Halmahera, North Maluku were identified by 142 morphological characters in the vegetative and generative phases. The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Taxonomic Department of Biology at Brawijaya University from May 2016 until October 2016. The results of genetic relationship analysis from the dendrogram showed that the 37 local durians from Halmahera were divided into four main clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.71. This suggests a close association of genetic variations for local durian variants based on 142 morphological characters. The genetic relationship also indicates that there is regional specificity to the spread of local durian variants in Halmahera. The results of this study can be used as a basis for recommendations on the genetic diversity level of the local durian germplasm from Halmahera to be developed further, as well as for conservation. However, the current data needs to be supported with other character data from research, to accurately obtain higher kinship data.