Date Palm Germplasm

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) belongs to the genus Phoenix which is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of South Asia and Africa. The species are dioecious and the fruits are drupes of varying sizes. P dactylifera apparently originated in the area near the present Iraq and Iran, was domesticated in ancient times and spread into adjacent regions having appropriate climates. Primitive date palms were probably similar to modern date palms but with smaller, less palatable fruits. Genetic diversity of date palms in the center of origin is threatened by such factors as development, desertification, ecosystem change and salinization. Examination of traditional oasis culture of date palms suggests that many of the trees in those oases were khalts or mixtures of seedlings. Propagation by offshoots was probably less common but was important in introducing superior varieties from other areas. In general, populations of date palms appear to be mixtures of khalts with some elite named varieties present. The introduction of elite varieties, whether from other oases or via tissue culture, may contribute to the genetic erosion of R dactylifera in traditional oases. Farmers should be encouraged to continue cultivating traditional varieties in the oasis cultures, but ex-situ collections of date palms should also be established in order to facilitate access and utilization of date palm germplasm. Work is needed to better characterize and evaluate date palm germplasm and to understand the genetic basis for the traits expressed. This is vital to a rational and successful utilization of date palm genetic resources.