Phenotype diversity and relationship among kopyor coconut in Jember Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Kopyor coconut (Cocos nucifera L. family Arecaceae) is a mutant nut from Indonesia and Jember Regency serves as a center for the growth in the country. The population and morphology in this area have not been explored extensively to describe diversity. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the morphology and kinship of kopyor coconut in three sub-districts, namely Wuluhan, Ambulu and Gumuk Mas. A random sampling was conducted to select 10 trees from each dwarf (yellow and green dwarf kopyor (GKK and GHK)) and tall kopyor coconut (green, yellow and brown tall kopyor (DHK, DKK and DCK)). GPS-marked population was processed using GIS program to create a map for the distribution of kopyor coconut. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and endosperm. The results showed that there were 31 areas of kopyor coconut populations in Jember Regency. The high diversity was observed in the number of female flowers, as well as the percentage of kopyor fruit per bunch. DCK had the smallest and largest flower and fruit index values, respectively. In addition, the level of endosperm structure was classified into four types. Tall kopyor coconut had a low phylogenetic relationship of 29%, while DKK and DCK types reported the closest. This information was valuable in complementing the lack of data on the phenotype as well as the diversity of the population used for conservation, breeding programs, and production purposes.

Keywords:

• Mutant coconut
• morphological variability
• kopyor endosperm

Reviewing Editor:

• Manuel Sulistyono, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

Subjects:

• Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
• Plant & Animal ecology
• Natural History – Evolution and General biology

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to kopyor coconut farmers in Wuluhan who assisted in collecting data as well as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology for providing research funding.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received research funding from Higher Education of Indonesia, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology.