Characterization of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in Nagari Giri Maju, West Pasaman Regency based on fruit morphological characteristics

Abstract The avocado plant is cross-pollinated; thus, each plant has a different genetic fashion. This research was carried out in 2020 in Luhak Nan Duo District, West Pasaman Regency. The research aimed to obtain information about the morphological characteristics and describe the diversity of avocado plants in Nagari Giri Maju, the center of avocado production in Luhak Nan Duo District, West Pasaman Regency. The research used a survey method with purposive sampling as a sample collecting design. Morphological characterization was carried out on avocado fruit. Exploration and characterization conducted successfully identified 238 accessions of avocado that showed variability in fruit shape, ripe fruit skin color, ripe fruit flesh color, fruit flesh texture, and fibrous within fruit flesh. Wide variability was detected only for fruit weight. Ten potential avocado accessions were obtained from the characterization with the following characteristics, i.e., oval fruit shape, grade A fruit weight, green color of ripe fruit peel, and buttery and non-fibrous fruit flesh texture. Hence, the accessions can be recommended for new potential avocado varieties. Based on qualitative traits, cluster analysis resulted in seven groups with a 38% degree of similarity.