The Diversity and Classification of Tea Germplasm Based on Morpho-Agronomic Characteristics

Abstract

The information on diversity needs to be disclosed as a basis for consideration in the use of genetic resources. The objective of this study is to reveal the diversity and the classification of tea germplasm based on morpho-agronomic characteristics. The experiment was carried out from June to December 2018 in Gunung Putri Experimental Garden, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. The materials of the study used were 13 first generation tea clones. The research used was the observation method.s. The level of kinship among the clones was calculated using cluster analysis with the PBSTAT program. The results of observations showed that there was a diversity of leaf margin characteristics, leaf shape, mature leaf color, and immature leaf color. The high diversity was seen in pecco+2 weight, pecco+3 weight, and petiole length. The highest weight of pecco+3 was found in clone Cin 1. The coefficient of dissimilarity of 0.34 was divided into 2 main groups. Group I consisted of the clone Cin 1 and the clone Cin 28. The second group consisted of 11 tea clones. The clone Cin 1 and the clone Cin 28 and the clone Mal 17 are the tea clones with the smallest similarity values.