Genotyping Based on SSR Marker on Local Cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.) from Central Sulawesi

Abstract Theobroma cacao L. is a commercial tree derivate chocolate, which is originally from tropical regions of Central and South America. Currently, cacao is distributed throughout warmer climates in South and Central America, Africa, and South East Asia including Indonesia. Sulawesi Island of Indonesia has contributed significantly on cacao bean production over more than a decade. Intensive and extensive developments of this plant have been progressively done. One of these steps is the introduction of various new superior cultivars/clones. In current status, due to introduction of numerous cultivars and clones, it raises the variability of cacao trees on the field and derivate products from it. However, screening based on genotype and phenotype properties is urgently elucidated. In this paper, we report the variation of distinguishable pot morphology and genetic variation based on SSR marker from several clones, collected from Central Sulawesi farms. Among the samples could be characterized based on pot performance including; shape, size, bean properties, etc. Genotyping was done by using SSR marker. The outcome clearly shows that the polymorphism among the samples indicates high evolution rate on cacao trees over Sulawesi Island.