Determination of inter- and intra-specific genetic variations among Qatari date palm cultivars using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Abstract

The separated offshoots from individual trees are mainly used for date palms propagation, which maintains the genetic integrity of date palm cultivars such as the fruit morphology and quality, however, some variations are observed. The objectives of the current study were to determine the genetic similarity or diversity among and within the well-known Qatari date palm cultivars using different 18 primers of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR). Five common and the most cultivated date palm cultivars in Qatar were selected including Khalas, Sheshy, Rezezy, Barhee and Khanezy from three different locations (Al-Shamal, Al-Khour and Al-Rayan). All primers had amplified polymorphic bands in the studied cultivars either among the cultivars or within each cultivar in different cultivated areas. These results reveal the existence of genetic variations among the studied cultivars as well as within each cultivar, supporting the observed variation in some morphological and quality characters for different trees that are grown in different environments and derived from the same cultivar. Results reported from this study will help date palm community in Qatar for intera- and inter- fingerprinting different cultivars leading to identification of new lines or cultivars that are of a high quality and thus may be patented as unique Qatari cultivars. Key words: Date palm, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR), genetic variations.