PATTERN OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION AND DIVERSITY OF COCOS-NUCIFERA (ARECACEAE) IN MEXICO

The pattern of morphological variation of Cocos nucifera in Mexico was statistically and numerically evaluated. Forty-one populations were a nalyzed, using 17 morphological fruit characters. Principal components and cluster analyses indicated four main groups of coconut population s that showed high similarity with four different genotypes recently i mported into Mexico from areas that could be the origin of Mexican coc onut populations. These four genotypes were evaluated with regard to t he lethal yellowing disease in Jamaica and showed a differential susce ptibility. Therefore it is possible to speculate upon a difference in susceptibility of the Mexican,genotypes. The analysis of correlation b etween morphological and geographical distances showed a high positive correlation that supports: (1) historical evidence that indicates ear ly introductions of coconut from different regions of the world, (2) t hat on both coasts of Mexico two different patterns of dispersal were involved: continuous and in jumps. Collectively these results suggest that the impact of the lethal yellowing disease on coconut populations will vary depending on the specific area and the origin of its coconu ts.