Morpho-physiological characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) accessions in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the potential hotspots for the diversity of jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus), which is widely grown in almost every homestead. Jackfruit is a multipurpose tree, the fruits are an important source of nutrients; it also provides good timber, and possesses pharmacological properties which are widely used in medicine to treat a range of ailments. Despite this importance, the rich local genetic resource has been degrading due to high anthropogenic pressure before being fully documented and utilized for potential crop improvement. The present study was aimed to collect superior accessions from the major jackfruit growing areas of Bangladesh through in-situ evaluation and document them based on morphological (qualitative and quantitative) data in order to conserve the best local races. Twenty-eight jackfruit accessions were collected during 2015-2016. The data on 26 important quantitative and 36 qualitative characters were analyzed following the IPGR, 2000 procedure. Results of correlation coefficient of quantitative features demonstrated that out of 325 coefficients; 136 and 53 were significant at P<0.05 and P<0.01 levels, respectively, and others (136) were found nonsignificant. Hierarchal cluster analysis grouped both accessions and variables into four clusters and heat-map analysis indicated that wide range of variations exists among the accessions as well as variables levels. Wide range of variations were found in most important features like fruiting season, fruit-bearing, shape, rind color and surface, flake-shape and texture, pulp-taste, flavor, juiciness, and color, vivipary seed coat adherence to kernel. Genetic diversity was found to be higher in the studied jackfruit accessions which indicates scope for tree breeding planning.