Morphological Characterization of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) in Kedurang Disctrict, Bengkulu, Indonesia

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) is a tropical plant species of high economic importance, widely consumed both as fresh fruit and as a processed food ingredient.The external appearance, which reflects fruit quality, is influenced by various morphological traits.Despite its value, the morphological diversity of jackfruit in Kedurang District, Bengkulu, Indonesia, remains insufficiently documented.This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of jackfruit accessions in the region to support germplasm conservation and superior genotype selection.The research was conducted from May to October 2024 across five villages: Palak Siring, Keban Agung, Tanjung Alam, Karang Agung, and Lubuk Resam.An exploratory observational method was employed, using purposive sampling.A total of 33 morphological traits were recorded, comprising 15 qualitative and 18 quantitative characters, following the Descriptors for Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk [1].Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and cluster analysis using PBSTATCL version 2.1 to evaluate accession similarity.The analysis revealed two main groups: Group 1 included PS1, KA3, KA4, TA5, TA6, KR7, KR8, LR9, and LR10, while Group 2 consisted solely of PS2, which differed notably in leaf size and fruit sugar content.Observed morphological variation encompassed fruit weight (15-16kg), length (44-51cm), total soluble solids (13-21% Brix), and seed count (63-72).These findings contribute to the understanding of jackfruit diversity in the region and serve as a foundational reference for future germplasm management and selection of superior cultivars.