Screening of the Candidate DNA Barcodes for Three Important Amorphophallus Species Identification

Abstract

Amorphophallus is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, Africa, and other places, with more than 170 species. Amorphophallus has high medicinal value and is commonly used in medicine. However, the current classification based on morphology is challenging in with regard to Amorphophallus and closely related species. This study used six barcodes, namely ITS2, matK, rcbL, nad1, trnH-psbA, and trnL-trnF, to evaluate their identification ability for three important Amorphophallus species, including A. konjac, A. albus, and A. muelleri. We recommend that trnH-psbA can be applied to the Amorphophallus trade, quickly identify the purity of A. konjac and A. albus and distinguish A. muelleri from its related species for A. konjac and A. albus genetic improvement.

Amorphophallus muelleri blume diversity based on morphological characteristics in South Sulawesi

“…Amorphophallus muelleri Blume has good disease resistance and tendency to heat tolerance, and high KGM content. Therefore, Amorphophallus muelleri Blume is an important source of germplasm for genetic improvement of other plant subspecies such as Amorphophallus konjac and Amorphophallus albus [6].…”