MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF LOCAL JACKFRUIT (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) IN SUNGAI SERUT DISTRICT, BENGKULU CITY, INDONESIA

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical fruit plant with high economic value and is widely cultivated in Indonesia, including in Bengkulu. Bengkulu Province produces jackfruit from local varieties throughout the year. This study aimed to study the genetic diversity of local jackfruit in Sungai Serut district, Bengkulu City, based on morphological characters. The research was conducted from August to November 2024 on ten jackfruit trees from five villages in Sungai Serut district. The method used was field observation and purposive sampling technique. Morphological identification was carried out using qualitative and quantitative data, referring to the description of jackfruit published by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute in 2000. Thirty- two (32) morphological characters of jackfruit trees in Sukamerindu 1, Sukamerindu 2, Tanjung Agung 1, Tanjung Agung 2, Semarang 1, Semarang 2, Tanjung Jaya 1, Tanjung Jaya 2, Surabaya 1, and Surabaya 2 were identified. The results indicated significant morphological variability among the accessions, especially in fruit shape (cylindrical, round, and oval) and leaf shape (oval, oblong, and elliptic). Fruit weight ranged from 4 kg to 9 kg. Fruit soluble solids concentration ranged from 10 to 20 % Brix. In addition to stem and seed differences, these findings demonstrated considerable morphological differences in jackfruit that might be used as material for plant breeding to find superior accessions.