Exploring Egyptian date palm cultivars using morphological traits and molecular markers

This study used 38 morphological characteristics, IRAP and SCoT markers, and DNA barcoding to assess the relationships among seven date palm cultivars commonly grown in North Sinai, Egypt-five classified and two unknowns.Results of morphological characterization analysis within date palm cultivars showed significant variability (P 0.05) in tree, leaf, fruit, and seed morphological traits.Principal component analysis revealed strong relationships among certain morphological traits and cultivars, forming four major homogeneous variable groups.Cluster analyses revealed that Beid El Gamal exhibited the lowest genetic similarity among the seven cultivars, while the highest similarity index was observed between Amri and Yellow Majhal, Hayani and Red Majhal, and Khedri and Kapoushi.The evaluation was performed using IRAP and SCoT markers; IRAP markers generated 97 amplicons with 36% polymorphism, while SCoT markers produced 89 amplicons with 45% polymorphism.Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.93, with the highest similarity (0.93) observed between Amri and Yellow Majhal cultivars.DNA barcoding using rbcL, matK, and trnH genes successfully differentiated the cultivars into distinct phylogenetic groups.Molecular analyses revealed that Amri and Yellow Majhal cultivars were most closely related, while Beid El Gamal showed the lowest similarity.We concluded that analyzing morphological traits can distinguish date palm cultivars, but it is time-consuming and requires specific traits to identify each cultivar.By integrating morphological and genetic characteristics, we achieved more reliable identification.Molecular markers, such as IRAP and SCoT-particularly using IRAP-2204 or SCoT-09 primers-along with DNA barcoding, allow for quick and accurate differentiation of closely related cultivars, even unknown ones.This approach enhances sustainable date palm production by conserving genetic resources, improving breeding programs, verifying identities, tracking genetic diversity, and protecting local cultivars.