Exploration of Morphological Diversity of Local Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) in Pondok Suguh Subdistrict, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province as a Source of Superior Germplasm

AbstractJackfruit has advantages as a tropical fruit rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, and it can be processed into a variety of delicious and nutritious foods. This study aimed to investigate and explore the morphological diversity of local jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) in Pondok Suguh Subdistrict, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province. A total of 10 jackfruit trees distributed across 6 villages were selected using purposive sampling and analyzed using the jackfruit descriptor published by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) in 2000. A dendrogram was generated through data analysis using the PBSTAT program. The jackfruit accessions originated from Tunggang (TGG), Pondok Kandang (PK), Lubuk Bento (LB), Karya Mulya (KM), Pondok Suguh (PS), and Air Berau (AB). The results showed two distinct jackfruit groups. Group 1 included Karya Mulya, Lubuk Bento, Air Berau, and Tunggang, characterized by a neat canopy, large fruit size, and moderate sugar content (10–16 °Brix), making them suitable for the development of superior varieties based on fruit size. Meanwhile, Group 2 consisted of two other accessions, namely Pondok Kandang and Pondok Suguh, which produced smaller fruits but had higher sugar content (up to 23 °Brix) and attractive pulp color. Group 1 can be utilized as a genetic source for the development of superior varieties based on fruit size, while Group 2 has potential to be used as a germplasm source for the development of table fruit jackfruit varieties.Keywords: Accession, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Exotic Fruit.