This research aimed to determine the morphological and genetic diversity in 12 local cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) accessions obtained from Bangka Belitung, Indonesia. The results revealed that cocoa accessions observed with the highest variations for morphological and productivity traits, including fruit and seed weight and fruit skin thickness, are selection opportunities for yield improvement. All accessions exhibited favorable upright branching. Accessions of the Lampur and Pedindang series displayed superior profiles, combining good vigor, upright branching, and heavy fruiting. Cluster analysis yielded three groups, and Clusters 1 and 2 owned the accessions with the highest vigor and potential for low-risk crossbreeding, while Cluster 3 (Cupat and Teladan) offered unique genetic diversity. According to molecular analysis, 10 out of 12 accessions (except RB and PDH) were notable with the DREB2 gene, indicating greater potential for drought resistance. The results confirmed that the Bangka Belitung cocoa germplasm has a promising genetic potential. This research aims to conduct selection that combines superior morphological characters and DREB2 gene expression, as well as develop a crossing strategy based on genetic cluster proximity to produce adaptive, productive, and drought-resistant cocoa.
Cocoa (T. cacao L.), genetic resources, morphological and genetic diversity, cluster analysis, coefficient of variance, DREB2 gene, mahalanobis
The Bangka Belitung cocoa (T. cacao L.) accessions emerged with the highest yield potential and the DREB2 drought resistance gene, such as accessions of the Lampur, Pedindang, and Bembeng series.