By Endang Yuniastuti
Indonesia is one of mega biodiversity countries which has tropical wet forest with high level of biodiversity in the world including the riches of tropical fruits varieties. In addition, Indonesia is one of eight plant genetics variety centers in the world especially for their tropical fruit, such as durian. There are for about 27 species of durian already found in the world. However, regarding to that amount, there are only 6 species commonly consumed by people (Astaman, 2007). There are thirteen varieties of durian which are superiority recognized by Agriculture Minister and are disseminated to the society to be developed. Those varieties of durian are: durian bokor (from Majalengka), durian kani (introducted from Thailand), durian otong (introducted from Thailand), durian perwira (from Majalengka), durian petruk (from Jepara), durian si dodol (from South Borneo), durian si hijau (from South Borneo), durian si jepang (from South Borneo), durian si mas (from Bogor), durian di tokong (from Pasar Minggu), durian si riwig (from Majalengka), durian suku (from Gempalan), and durian sunan (from Boyolali).
The morphological appearance of this plant is varied depending on where it is planted. The correct seedling ellection is a must in this plant’s cultivation since durian is a perennial crop and if there is a mistake in seedling ellection, there will be a big disadvantage. The wrong step of seedling ellection can be minimalized by understanding the morphology of durian.
The innovation to understand durian morphologically can give a good illustration in identifying durian at the beginning before continuing to know about cytology and molecular.