Morphological and Phytochemical Characteristics of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) from North Sumatra, Indonesia

Variation of morphological and phytochemical properties of loquat landraces in North Sumatra is useful for further developing tropical varieties. This research aimed to determine the variation of morphology and phytochemical of loquat landraces in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Samples of loquat landraces were collected from three district in North Sumatra Province: Karo, Samosir and Tobasa district. Characteristics of morphology (vegetative and generative) and phytochemical properties (sugar, water content, vitamin, antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolites) were observed for each population. There was variation in both of morphology and phytochemical properties among landraces of loquat in three studied locations. The landrace population from Karo has the best fruit characteristics than the two others regarding the size, sugar content, and antioxidant activity. Regarding leaf traits, the population from Samosir has a larger surface area, higher leaf weight, and higher chlorophyll content. The result also shows that antioxidant activity in young leaves is higher than in flowers and fruits. The Karo district population has the best fruit traits among the three studied populations of North Sumatra loquat landraces. This population has potency as a source for further development of new varieties of loquat in tropical highland areas.