Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn) is native to the tropics of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and West Africa. This plant earned intentional introduction and cultivation in numerous tropical regions, including Indonesia. However, West Sumatra has experienced a decline in its population. The promising study aimed to assess the genetic variability based on nucleotide variation in several accessions of C. pentandra belonging to two different populations in West Sumatra through the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. In the presented study, eight sequences of C. pentandra from West Sumatra and 12 from GenBank – NCBI gained usage. The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified 683 conserved sites and three polymorphic sites, with AT (34.8%) and GC (65.2%) contents. Nucleotide diversity was evident in the 64th, 149th, and 224th sequences. Also, recognizing four haplotypes showed a haplotype diversity (Hd) value of 0.4953. Overall, the genetic diversity was low (Pi = 0.00130). It is because of the C. pentandra plant’s introduction to several areas by humans (anthropogenic). In addition, the outcrossing mating system, seed dispersal through wind or water, and propagation techniques further contribute to its distribution and low genetic diversity. The prevailing results can add genetic information about the C. pentandra DNA sequence data based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The obtained genetic data can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies that have the potential for development in the future breeding program.
Kapok (Ceiba pentandra L.), genetic variability, polymorphic sites, haplotype, ITS sequence data, nucleotide diversity, tropical regions
The analyzed C. pentandra sequences identified three polymorphic sites and four haplotypes, indicating low genetic variability. The pertinent data can add genetic information about C. pentandra DNA sequences based on ITS markers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This information can serve as a basis for germplasm conservation strategies and a source of genetic data that has the potential to develop in the breeding program.