Similarity of Homegarden Component Species and Their Genetic Distance between Tanzania and Indonesia

Abstract

A field survey and genetic analysis were conducted to reveal the similarity and genetic distance between homegarden component species of Tanzania and Indonesia. Homegardens in the Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania and in Java Island in Indonesia were investigated in terms of land-use configuration and allocation of homegarden species. Samples of the major fruit species jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), and banana (Musa spp.) were collected from the two areas and their genetic similarities were analyzed. The results indicated that homegardens in the Uluguru Mountains were similar to those in Java, particularly in terms of component species. Genetic analysis showed that jackfruit and most of the mango accessions in the Uluguru Mountains were distant from the Java accessions, but some mango accessions were similar to those of Java. Local use of the banana was diversified in Tanzania, and bananas exhibited greater genetic variation in Tanzania than in Java, despite Tanzania is far distant from the origin.