Morphological, Genetic and Phytochemical Characterization of Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker) Accessions

This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, genetic, and phytochemical diversity of Kaempferia parviflora accessions to identify potential elite genotypes for conservation and commercial applications. Twenty-one accessions, collected from multiple locations were cultivated under uniform conditions and assessed for 14 morphological traits. Cluster analysis using Gower’s General Similarity Coefficient and UPGMA revealed distinct phenotypic groupings, with variation in leaf shape, size, and margin color suggesting underlying genetic divergence. Genetic characterization using 10 ISSR primers produced 33 polymorphic bands, with a mean Shannon diversity index of 1.70, indicating a narrow genetic base. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.61 to 0.98, and UPGMA clustering separated accessions into three main groups, with KH-MJ emerging as a genetically distinct outlier. Phytochemical profiling of 10 selected accessions showed significant variation in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and 4,5,7-trimethoxyflavone (TMF) levels. KH-THA 10 consistently exhibited the highest TPC (47.534 mg GAE/g), TFC (7.887 mg RE/g), and TMF (42.95 µg/mg), identifying it as an elite accession for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. The integration of morphological, molecular, and phytochemical data provides a robust framework for germplasm management, breeding, and the development of high-value K. parviflora cultivars. Future work should focus on broadening the genetic base and validating genotype–environment interactions affecting bioactive compound production.