Pitcher plants have undergone extensive cultivation as ornamental plants. Breeders made significant efforts on early sex identification, particularly before propagation. The following study may be the first investigation to identify the sex determination based on morphological and molecular traits of Sumatra’s endemic pitcher plant. Molecular markers applied related to sex determination comprised the primers DYT1, COX, OPA 15, OPD 05, UBC354, and OPY 7. The pitcher plant samples collected came from South Tapanuli and North Sumatra, Indonesia. Observations based on qualitative and quantitative morphological characters, as described in the descriptor, covered parts of stems, leaves, and pitchers. The results revealed considerable variations among the various species of N. sumatrana for stem surface texture, leaf shape, and upper leaf surface texture. Only the male plants exhibited 290 bp of DNA fragments amplified by the primer DYT1. Primer OPA-15 amplification produced 600 bp, OPD05 gave 850 and 650 bp, and UBC354 provided 900 bp of DNA fragments, found only in the female. The primer OPY7 amplified DNA fragments measuring 610, 680, and 750 bp, and they were evident only in the female. The presented research will be a valuable contribution to the development of an early sex determination system.
Pitcher plant (N. sumatrana), genetic diversity, morphological traits, molecular analysis, sex determination
In pitcher plants (N. sumatrana), the study based on sex determination was successful through morphological and molecular characterization. The presented research could help in the development of an early sex determination system in dioecious Nepenthes plants and would be greatly beneficial in their cultivation.