Inheritance pattern of endosperm quantity and Kopyor coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) fruit variations

Abstract

Although genetic resources of Kopyor coconut exists in Agom Jaya district, South Lampung regency, information about their fruit characteristic variations are limited. Hence, genetic inheritance patterns for endosperm quantity characters is not exist. Fruit characteristic variations and endosperm quantity inheritance patterns are important for Kopyor coconut improvement. We reported the Kopyor coconut fruit variations, fruit character correlations and endosperm quantity genetic control. Endosperm quantity was determined using standard scoring, ranged from 1 (low quantity, the same endosperm as normal coconut) to 9 (high quantity). Out of the 254 Kopyor fruits evaluated, the ones having endosperm quantity score 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 51.0%, 18.7%, 13.5%, and 7.6% while those having score 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were 4.4%, 3.6%, 0.4%, 0.4%, and 0.4%, respectively. Fruit characters having the highest coefficient of variation (CV) was fruit sizes (CV = 75.2) while the lowest was the shell weight (CV = 18%). A positive correlation was observed between score of endosperm quantity and weight of endosperm. On the other hand, the score of endosperm quantity was negatively correlated with the volume of coconut water. The endosperm quantity was genetically control by a duplicate dominant epistasis.