| Abstract: | Genetic variation among 43 date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) accessions, including 37 accessions from Morocco and 6 cultivars
from Iraq and Tunisia, was studied using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The pre-screening of 123 primers
on four genotypes allowed selection of 19 primers which revealed polymorphism and gave reproducible results. All 43 analysed
genotypes were distinguishable by their band patterns. RAPD technology therefore appears very effective for identifying accessions
of date palm. RAPD-based genetic distance was used to determine the relationships between the accessions. The grouping-association
identified by cluster analysis was rather weak. However, morphologically similar varieties clustered together. A relatively
low polymorphism and a lack of evident organisation are observed among the date palm varieties grown in Morocco. This could
be related to the mode of introduction and maintenance of the Moroccan date palm germplasm involving limited foundation germplasm,
exchange of cultivars between plantations, and periodic development of new recombinant cultivars following sexual reproduction.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
