Phenotypic diversity of date palm male clones (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in morocco: a selection study

Abstract The selection of date palm interesting cultivars has focused over years on female trees, overlooking the importance of male trees despite their critical role in influencing date quality and yield. This study evaluated 20 male genotypes from southeast Morocco based on spathe morphology, strand traits, and pollen characteristics, revealing substantial phenotypic variability. Pearson’s correlation revealed complex relationships among morphological traits analyses and dendrogram analysis grouped the genotypes into four clusters, highlighting the phenotypic diversity and informing targeted breeding and pollinator selection. Four genotypes INRA-DK17, INRA-DK16, INRA-DK5, and especially INRA-DK4, exhibited strong pollination potential, making them promising candidates for future breeding programs aimed at improving date production. Overall, this study sheds light on date palm male phenotypic diversity and emphasize the importance of investigating this diversity to orient male selection programs in Morocco.