Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is an edible fruit and the most economically important tropical plant of the family Bromeliaceae. Genetic diversity analysis can better support in pineapple advanced breeding that ultimately leads to improved quality of pineapple. The following study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of five pineapple accessions originating from the Nusantara Pineapple Garden, Kudus, Indonesia, i.e., Blitar, Indralaya, Jambi, Riau Siak, and Madu Subang. The study collected plant samples from each accession, consisting of pineapple fruit crowns. The DNA isolated from each sample underwent amplification by the PCR using eight RAPD primers, viz., OPA-02, OPA-07, OPA-14, OPA-15, OPB-10, OPB-15, OPC-05, and OPD-01. The results showed the lowest genetic diversity among the five pineapple accessions, with variations in the number of amplified bands and DNA fragment size. Primer OPA 15 (900 bp) was the choice used to evaluate genetic variability in Ananas comosus between the smooth cayenne and queen types. Two clusters’ identification resulted from the UPGMA analysis. Cluster 1, comprising four pineapple accessions, Blitar, Indralaya, Riau Siak, and Jambi, indicated the highest genetic similarity. However, the pineapple accession Madu Subang, placed in cluster 2, showed the lowest genetic similarity with other pineapple accessions.
Pineapple (A. comosus L.), bromeliaceae, accessions, genetic diversity, RAPD primers, DNA, genetic similarity
Genetic diversity assessment among five pineapple (A. comosus L.) accessions using RAPD primers revealed significant variability. Specifically, the primers OPA-15, OPB-10, OPB-15, and OPC-05 effectively distinguished the Madu Subang pineapple from other studied cultivars.