Genetic Diversity, Components of Variation and Clade Pattern of Philippine Coix (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) Germplasm Populations
Sancho G. Bon1*, Gerlie P. Antesco2, Visitacion C. Huelgas2 and Elmer C. Enicola2
1Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), College, Laguna, Philippines; 2Institute of Plant Breeding, CAFS, UPLB, College, Laguna, Philippines. *Corresponding author, b_sanch@yahoo,coInstitute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), College, Laguna, Philippines; 2Institute of Plant Breeding, CAFS, UPLB, College, Laguna, Philippines. *Corresponding author, b_sanch@yahoo,com

Abstract

Thirty-seven Philippine germplasm accessions of cultivated and weedy type coix were characterized using morphometric descriptors and assessed for diversity, components of variability and genetic similarity patterns. Diversity indices showed high estimates ranging from H’ = 0.5046 to H’= 0.9678, with most of the descriptors having values of at least H’ = 0.90 and generally associated with reproductive descriptors. Inherent diversity was confirmed through the principal components analysis where variability was distributed to as many as seven principal components accounting for 79.20%. First three components account for 52.66% of the variation which relate to both vegetative and reproductive descriptors. A 3D plot showed groupings of the accessions along the first three principal components. Cluster analysis further confirmed the inherent variability of the populations as shown by the clade pattern. Cultivated types were generally separated from the weedy types. Subgroupings were also formed among the cultivated accessions with some outliers. Results form as initial information on the diversity of the Philippine coix germplasm. Recommendations for the conservation and enhanced utilization of the local germplasm of coix are suggested.
Keywords: Philippine Coix (Coix lacryma-jobi L.), morphometric descriptors