Variation and Phenetic Relationships of Sweet Potato Cultivars (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) in Kutai and Karanganyar Based on Morphological and Molecular Characters

Abstract

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. has a diversity of morphological forms of tubers, leaves, flowers, and stems. Each cultivar has distinct characteristics that can be character-ised and analysed using molecular markers to determine the phenetic relationships formed. The study aimed to determine the genetic variation of I. batatas in Kutai, East Kalimantan and Karanganyar. This study was conducted on 19 I. batatas samples. Morphological characters were used to observe variations in I. batatas cultivars and were strengthened using the ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) molecular approach. A total of 31 morphological and micromorphological characters were observed, and seven ISSR primers were used to amplify I. batatas DNA from samples in Kutai and Karanganyar. The data obtained were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The similarity index between OTUs was determined using the Gower general similarity formula for morphological characters and Jaccard similarity for molecular characters, clustering using the UPGMA algorithm. The results showed variations in the colour of the tuber flesh, leaf shape, and tuber shape. At the molecular level, variations were indicated by the presence of polymorphic bands. Morphological characterisation resulted in three clusters based on tuber flesh colour, while molecular classification formed three clusters based on the region of origin.