Abstract
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to detect polymorphism among the 7 different cultivars of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Total genomic DNA extracted from young sprouting leaves (white to pale yellow) were amplified using random sequenced 10-mer OPERON primers. Out of 140 primers initially screened, 42 detected polymorphism. among the cultivars. A total of 213 bands were generated with an average of 5.6 RAPD markers per primer. Out of a total 213 amplified fragments, 132 (61.97%) were polymorphic. Cluster analysis by the unweighted paired group method of arithmetic mean (UPGMA) showed two clusters. Cluster 'A' consisted of 3 cultivars viz., Khalas, Barhy and Deglat Noor with a 0.76-0.81 Nei and Li's similarity range. Cluster 'B' consisted of 3 cultivars viz., Omal-Khashab, Hilwa and Shagra with a 0.79-0.83 Nei and Li's similarity range. Hilwa and Shagra are more closely related as compared to all the rest of the 7 cultivars. They have the highest value in the similarity matrix for Nei and Li's coefficient (0.83). Barhy and Deglat Noor are also closely related with a second highest value in the similarity matrix (0.81). The cultivar Hilad does not belong to any of the cluster groups and is 69% genetically similar to the rest of the 6 cultivars. The average similarity among the 7 cultivars was more than 50%. Our study indicated the possibility of using RAPD markers for the identification and for determining genetic diversity among the different cultivars of date palm.