Genetic fingerprint of south Libyan’s date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) using molecular markers

Abstract

This study was conducted on date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in the southern regions of Libya (Sabha, Ubara, Murzeq). Three farms were selected from each region and 3 cultivars from each farm (Taghyat, Tafsert, Talees). The genetic diversity was studied by the phenotype in the characteristics of fruits and leaves, while the molecular characterization was studied using molecular markers,The results showed the effect of the geographical location on date fruits, such as weight, size, length diameter and moisture of the fruits, in addition to total soluble soild. The highest results were recorded in Murzeq region, while the Taghyat variety showed to be the best of studied varieties. The results of the genetic analysis using 20 primers of microsatellite showed that the genetic diversity rate was 61% and the polymorphic information content (PIC) was 55%. A total of 84 alleles were recorded with an average of 4.2 alleles per locus. The number of alleles per locus was varied, with a minimum of 2 alleles with the primersmPdCIR010 and DP159, while the most 7 alleles were recorded with the primer DP157. The 20 primers used in this study created amplified and clear bands of DNA in different sizes, ranging from 116 (bp) Base pair with the primerDP160 to 300 (bp) Base pair with the primers mPdCIR032. SSR marker was able to divide the date palm plants into two main groups. The first group combines the two cultivars of Taghyat and Tafsert, regardless of the areas from which they were collected. The second group contains only Talees cultivar in the three regions, This result shows the genetic relationship between the two cultivars of Taghyat and Tafsert they were grouped in a single cluster, while Talees cultivar was genetically separated and lined up in an other single cluster. The Dendrogram tree also shows that the different regions, despite the geographical aspect, which is estimated at 120 to 200 kilometers, do not affect the genetic makeup of the cultivars. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) shows that 46% of the variability between cultivars was due to structural genetic differences, while 54% of the genetic variance, was due to the genetic differences of individuals within the population, which may be as a result of the cultivation of most of the seedlings through seeds resulting from cross pollination.