Doctoral student of Faculty of Biology UGM, Hastuti, conducted a study of genetic variability and relationships of wild bananas (Musa spp.) in Sulawesi.
In the study she tried to explore and identify the diversity of wild bananas. In addition, it also reveals genetic variability and the relationships based on morphological, anatomical, and molecular characteristics.
Hastuti started her research based on the fact that banana cultivation (Musa x paradisiaca) is vulnerable to pests and diseases. This occurs due to vegetative propagation, thus leading to genetic erosion. On the other hand, wild bananas are thought to be resistant to pests and diseases.
“The taxonomy of wild bananas is still uncertain and limited,” she explained during the Dissemination of Research Results of her dissertation Period I in the 2019/2020 academic year.
Based on the results, she found 34 accessions of wild bananas at 16 sampling points on the island of Sulawesi. Four species were identified: M. balbisiana, M. textilis, M. borneensis and M. acuminata. M. acuminata consists of five subspecies/varieties: M. acuminata var. zebrina, M. acuminata var. banksii, M. acuminata var. lutraensis, M. acuminata var. sigiensis and M. acuminata ssp. Microcarpa.
The results of the analysis of genetic relations using the morphological approach showed that all 34 accessions were divided into two main clusters with a coefficient value of 0.642. The first cluster consists of M. acuminata species with their subspecies and varieties. The second cluster consists of M. borneensis, M. textilis and M. balbisiana.
“Based on anatomical observations of trichomes, the number of hypodermic layers and palisade layers can be used as a distinguishing characteristic between species,” she said.
The phylogenetic analysis using ITS produced the same tree as those in previous findings, namely M. acuminata and M. balbisiana together in one taxonomic group (clad) as well as M. textilis and M. borneensis.
Sources: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/18587-menguak-keragaman-pisang-liar-di-sulawesi
