Phylogenetic relationship of superior durian (Durio zibethinus) cultivars native to South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Durian, especially Durio zibethinus, is an agricultural commodity with high economic value, both in local and global markets. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity, relationships and correlation of superior cultivars of D. zibethinus (‘Likol’, ‘Sahang’ and ‘Si Japang’) native to South Kalimantan, Indonesia, using the rbcL marker, and compare them with other 48 cultivars from the GenBank database. All durian rbcL markers were analyzed using the MEGA-X software and phylogenetically reconstructed using two approaches: maximum likelihood (ML) and neighbor-joining (NJ). The durian phylogenetic tree was assessed by bootstrap analysis, and their relationships by Pearson’s correlation and principal component analysis. The durian showed a low genetic diversity (π% = 0.056); however, unique relationships were revealed. Following the rbcL region, this germplasm was grouped into five clades using ML and NJ. In this case, ‘Si Japang’ and ‘Sahang’ showed to be closely related to ‘T16’ from Malaysia, whereas ‘Likol’ was related to ‘Monthong’ from Thailand. However, based on the genetic divergence analysis, ‘Sahang’ had the farthest relationship with three durians from Thailand (‘Metnai Kanyao’, ‘Chok Loi’ and ‘Malet Ar-Ri’).

KEYWORDS: Breeding program, Borneo Island, genetic diversity, horticulture commodity.