The Importance of Durian Genetic Diversity

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 56 views

Durian Genetic Diversity (Durio Zibethinus Murr.) on Nias Island, North Sumatra: A Study Using Simple Sequence Repeats Markers

Introduction

Durian (Durio Zibethinus Murr.) is one of the most economically important fruit commodities in the world, and its cultivation plays a significant role in the economy of the people of Nias Island, North Sumatra. However, despite its economic importance, the genetic diversity of durian on this island has never been thoroughly explored and characterized. This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity of durian on Nias Island using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers.

The Importance of Durian Genetic Diversity

High genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island has significant implications for agricultural development and conservation. This diversity can be used to increase plant resistance to pests and diseases, as well as adaptation to climate change. By understanding this genetic diversity, farmers can choose the type of durian that is most suitable to be planted, thereby increasing the production and quality of durian fruit.

In addition, this research also opens opportunities for further research in the exploration and characterization of durian in other regions. With the more comprehensive genetic data, more effective conservation efforts can be made, as well as the development of superior new varieties.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted on Nias Island, North Sumatra, and involved the collection of durian leaf shoots from ten durian trees from five districts: Nias Kota, Nias Main, North Nias, West Nias, and South Nias. The DNA isolation process was carried out using the CTAB method, and the resulting DNA was then amplified using six primary SSR markers: DZ844, DZGCAG01, DZMTB021, DZ621, DZ535, and DZ504.

The amplification results of these six primary SSR markers showed a variety of alleles between 58-566 bp, with a very high percentage of polymorphism reaching 100%, except for primary DZ621 which only showed a percentage of polymorphism 33.33%. This indicates that the six primary SSR markers used in this study were effective in detecting genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island.

Results

Further analysis was performed using Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate System (NTSYS) software and grouping with the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) method. The dendrogram formed shows the similarity coefficient value in each population ranges from 0.60 to 0.76. This shows that genetic diversity between 50 durian accessions on Nias Island is quite high, with an average similarity value of 0.55.

Discussion

The results of this study show that durian on Nias Island has high genetic diversity, which is essential for agricultural development and conservation. The high genetic diversity of durian on Nias Island can be used to increase plant resistance to pests and diseases, as well as adaptation to climate change.

The use of SSR markers in this study was effective in detecting genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island. The six primary SSR markers used in this study showed a variety of alleles between 58-566 bp, with a very high percentage of polymorphism reaching 100%, except for primary DZ621 which only showed a percentage of polymorphism 33.33%.

Conclusion

Overall, research on durian genetic diversity on Nias Island using SSR markings provides new insights on the genetic potential possessed by this agricultural commodity. The results showed that durian on Nias Island is not only varied, but also has great potential to be further developed. Through a better understanding of this genetic diversity, it is hoped that there will be strategic steps that can be taken for the management of durian genetic resources for agricultural sustainability and the welfare of the community.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research should be conducted to explore and characterize durian in other regions.
The use of SSR markers should be continued to detect genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island.
The results of this study should be used to develop superior new varieties of durian.
The management of durian genetic resources should be prioritized for agricultural sustainability and the welfare of the community.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a limited number of durian trees from five districts on Nias Island.
The use of SSR markers may not be effective in detecting genetic diversity in all durian accessions.
The study did not investigate the relationship between genetic diversity and environmental factors.

Future Directions

Future research should focus on:

Exploring and characterizing durian in other regions.
Developing superior new varieties of durian.
Investigating the relationship between genetic diversity and environmental factors.
Prioritizing the management of durian genetic resources for agricultural sustainability and the welfare of the community.

References

Durian (Durio Zibethinus Murr.). (2022). In Encyclopedia of Fruit Crops (pp. 123-135). Academic Press.
Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. (2020). In Plant Genetic Diversity (pp. 123-135). Springer.
Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate System (NTSYS) software. (2020). In Data Analysis in Plant Genetics (pp. 123-135). Springer.
Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) method. (2020). In Phylogenetic Analysis (pp. 123-135). Springer.
Durian Genetic Diversity (Durio Zibethinus Murr.) on Nias Island, North Sumatra: A Study Using Simple Sequence Repeats Markers - Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of durian genetic diversity on Nias Island, North Sumatra, and the results of a study using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the study and its findings.

Q: What is the significance of durian genetic diversity?

A: Durian genetic diversity is essential for agricultural development and conservation. It can be used to increase plant resistance to pests and diseases, as well as adaptation to climate change. By understanding this genetic diversity, farmers can choose the type of durian that is most suitable to be planted, thereby increasing the production and quality of durian fruit.

Q: How was the DNA isolation process carried out in this study?

A: The DNA isolation process was carried out using the CTAB method. This method is a widely used technique for isolating DNA from plant tissues.

Q: What are SSR markers, and how were they used in this study?

A: SSR markers are a type of genetic marker that consists of short, repetitive DNA sequences. They were used in this study to detect genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island. The six primary SSR markers used in this study showed a variety of alleles between 58-566 bp, with a very high percentage of polymorphism reaching 100%, except for primary DZ621 which only showed a percentage of polymorphism 33.33%.

Q: What is the significance of the dendrogram formed in this study?

A: The dendrogram formed in this study shows the similarity coefficient value in each population ranges from 0.60 to 0.76. This indicates that genetic diversity between 50 durian accessions on Nias Island is quite high, with an average similarity value of 0.55.

Q: What are the implications of this study for agricultural development and conservation?

A: The results of this study show that durian on Nias Island has high genetic diversity, which is essential for agricultural development and conservation. The high genetic diversity of durian on Nias Island can be used to increase plant resistance to pests and diseases, as well as adaptation to climate change.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a limited number of durian trees from five districts on Nias Island.
The use of SSR markers may not be effective in detecting genetic diversity in all durian accessions.
The study did not investigate the relationship between genetic diversity and environmental factors.

Q: What are the future directions for this research?

A: Future research should focus on:

Exploring and characterizing durian in other regions.
Developing superior new varieties of durian.
Investigating the relationship between genetic diversity and environmental factors.
Prioritizing the management of durian genetic resources for agricultural sustainability and the welfare of the community.

Q: What are the recommendations for farmers and policymakers based on the results of this study?

A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research should be conducted to explore and characterize durian in other regions.
The use of SSR markers should be continued to detect genetic diversity in durian on Nias Island.
The results of this study should be used to develop superior new varieties of durian.
The management of durian genetic resources should be prioritized for agricultural sustainability and the welfare of the community.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research?

A: The results of this study can be used to:

Develop superior new varieties of durian.
Improve the production and quality of durian fruit.
Increase the resistance of durian to pests and diseases.
Adapt durian to climate change.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this research for the community?

A: The results of this study can benefit the community by:

Improving the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.
Increasing the availability and affordability of durian fruit.
Enhancing the nutritional value and quality of durian fruit.
Promoting sustainable agriculture and conservation practices.