phoenix dactylifera L

Phoenix Dactylifera L. (Date palm) is a dioecious crop where male and female inflorescences are on separate palms. To ensure good fertilization and overcome shortcomings of dichogamy, sustain yield levels and enhance fruit set, each female inflorescence has to be artificially pollinated. The manual method of pollinating date palms has gained popularity and confidence of farmers over thousands of years. Although different mechanical pollination techniques have been tried in some parts of the globe, improved and sustainable date fruit production is still a major challenge for plant breeders. This paper highlights the recent progress in the area of date palm pollination, associated tools and technologies used to improve yield and fruit quality. The study reviews different pollination methods and its feasibility analysis in Phoenix Dactylifera L. namely, the natural means; traditionally adopted manual method; nonconventional methods, such as, liquid suspension spray techniques and powder/dust pollination approaches; adopted on different cultivars; in different geographic locations where date palms are widely grown. A comparative study based on parameters such as yield, fruit set, fruit quality, popularity of the technique among farmers etc. is also made. This study intends to add value to the adoption of best practices for cultivation of the palms, thereby helping minimize diminished quality and increase marketable quantity of dates.

Sexual dysfunctions occur at a point in an adult " s lifetime. To address this problem a number of therapeutic strategies have been developed, some of which are inadequate and/or plagued with side effects. Consequently, alternative methods which include the use of herbs with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties have been advocated. The present study investigated the mechanism of aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing activities of aqueous extracts of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera and 'Kunu aya' (the beverage blend). The study was divided into in vivo and in vitro phases. In the in vivo phase, aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing activities of the extracts were assessed in rats using physical/ behavioral (observation of mounting/ mating frequencies), biochemical (determination of sperm count, testosterone and PSA levels) psychological/ mood (anxiolytic effect using EPM models) methods while in the in vitro phase, different concentrations of each extract were subjected to phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), Arginase, Acetylcholinesterase

There is a continuous rise in the rate of medicine consumption because of the development of drug resistance by microbial pathogens. In the last one decade, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become a remarkable choice for the development of new drugs due to their excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In the current piece of work, we have synthesized AgNPs from the root extract of Phoenix dactylifera to test their antimicrobial and anti-cancer potential. UV-visible spectra showed the surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm λ max corresponding to the formation of silver nanoparticles, FTIR spectra further confirmed the involvement of biological moieties in AgNPs synthesis. Moreover, XRD analysis showed the crystalline nature of AgNPs and predicted the crystallite size of 15 to 40 nm. Electron microscopy analyses confirmed their spherical shape. In addition, synthesized AgNPs was also found to control the growth of C. albicans and E. coli on solid nutrient medium with 20 and 22 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. The 100% potency at 40 μg/ml AgNPs concentration was observed against E. coli and C. albicans after 4 h and 48 h incubation respectively. Importantly, AgNPs were also found to decrease the cell viability of MCF7 cell lines in vitro with IC 50 values of 29.6 μg/ml and could act as a controlling agent of human breast cancer. Based on our results, we conclude that biologically synthesized AgNPs exhibited multifunctional properties and could be used against human cancer and other infectious diseases.

Background and Aim: Antibiotic, improves the growth performance of laying hens when used as a feed additive; however, it has been banned in Europe. Furthermore, secondary metabolites used as a substitute for antibiotics are compounds produced by plants. Therefore, this aims to determine the effect of dates water extract (DWE) on the performance of laying hens. This study used dates containing secondary metabolites as a feed additive and substitute for antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: A completely randomized design was used, dividing 400 Lohmann brown day old chick into five groups (each group has five replications and each replication consisted of 16 laying hens). Furthermore, there were two control groups such as mineral water control group and antibiotic growth promoters (basal feed+50 mg/kg of bacitracin), and three DWE groups such as 5% DWE (50 mg/mL), 10% DWE (100 mg/mL), and 20% DWE (200 mg/mL). Dates extract treatment was administered through drinking water for 54 days, whereby three laying hens from each replication were taken randomly and decapitated on the neck. Afterwards, a necropsy was performed for histological preparations of the small intestine, ovary, and lymphoid organs. The structure and morphology of the small intestine, and ovaries were observed through histological preparations, while lymphoid organs were observed through histological preparation and morphometry, and body morphometry, body weight, feed intake and weight gain were observed by measurements and weighing.

Results: Small intestine morphology, ovarian follicle, and growth performance of the DWE2 group increased significantly compared to the control group, but the lymphoid organs index was influenced by DWE1.

Conclusion: The administration of 10% dates extract (100 mg/mL) in drinking water improves the morphology of the small intestine, ovarian follicles, lymphoid organs, and growth performance.

Until recently, there has been no set of model descriptors for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). We propose here a system of descriptors for date palm to meet the needs of genebanks, in situ and ex situ conservation activities, and as an aid in diversity studies. Multi-score and bi-state systems are used to express the date palm traits. We have compiled standard passport data (17 parameters); details of eco-geography (13 parameters); ethno-botany (15 parameters); management (18 parameters); characterization (58 vegetation parameters, 27 fruit parameters, 22 seed parameters, 41 inflorescence parameters, 4 molecular marker parameters, 5 cytological parameters and 24 biochemical parameters); and evaluation activities (66 biotic stress parameters and 13 abiotic stress parameters). These attributes were derived from 1275 samples representing 55 varieties cultivated in Egypt. Trait data were collected both from trees growing in their natural habitats as well as from trees growing ex situ on the farm of the Central Laboratory of Date Palm Research and Development (CLDPRD) genebank. The proposed date palm descriptors provide a standardized information set for all characterization and evaluation activities for date palm genebanks.

Background: Spathe of date palm (which is called Tarooneh by Persian folk) and its aroma water is widely used in Persian traditional medicine but according to best of our knowledge lack is done on its chemical composition or standardization of the herb for its quality control in herbal market. Methods and material: In this study microscopical and preliminary pharmacognostic properties of fractions obtained from date palm spathe (Tarooneh) were screened by thin layer chromatography. In addition, essential oils of the spathe were analyzed by GCeMS spectroscopy. Results: Different fractions of the spathe contain steroids, triterpene steroids, oils and flavonoids in different amount. Fourteen compounds accounting for 93% of the oil were identified by GCeMS analysis. Oxygen containing monoterpenes were the main class of components (73%) with carvacrol (37%), linalool (24%) and thymol (10%) as major constituents of the oil. Conclusion: Volatile constituents and preliminary pharmacognostic evaluation of Tarooneh can give some useful data for further phytochemical analysis, quality control and standardization of Tarooneh.

Phoenix sylvestris has often been regarded as the wild progenitor of the cultivated date palm Phoenix dactylifera. A genetic study recently discarded this hypothesis, suggesting however a possible occurrence of hybridization events during the expansion of date palm cultivation. A sampling campaign was carried out in Northwestern India as a first step towards understanding the complex relationships between these two species.

Context: Phoenix dactylifera (PD) is a medicinal plant reportedly used in folklore for hypertension management. Scientific validation for its use as an antihypertensive agent is scanty.

Aims: To investigate the bioactive compounds present in extract and differential solvent fractions, and the in vitro inhibitory effect of PD on the activities of key enzymes associated with hypertension.

Methods: Ethanol and differential solvent (ethyl acetate, butanol and water) fractions of PD were prepared using established methods and were thereafter used for the enzyme inhibition assays, which includes: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and arginase. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to evaluate bioactive compounds present in the extracts and fractions.

Results: Preliminary phytochemical evaluations revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, betacyanins and phenols in all solvent fractions. Some of the compounds detected in P. dactylifera that have been implicated in hypertension management include squalene, lauric acid, palmitic acid, caprate, stearate, vitamin E, β-sitosterol, phytol, linolenic acid, isosorbide, coumarins and taurine. Furthermore, all except the aqueous fraction exerted significantly (p<0.05) higher ACE inhibition than the control drug (lisinopril). Also, the ethanol, butanol, and aqueous fractions exerted significantly (p<0.05) higher inhibition of PDE-5 than the control drug (sildenafil). However, the aqueous fraction exhibited the highest PDE-5 and AChE inhibition at 86.99 ± 0.10 and 91.81 ± 1.20%, respectively. Also, the aqueous fraction had the highest inhibitory effect on ADA (82.87 ± 4.32%).

Conclusions: These findings, therefore, justify the use of P. dactylifera as an antihypertensive agent in the folklore medicine.

The present study was designed to determine the possible protective
effects of date palm extract against Cerastes cerastes venom induced
oxidative stress and biochemical changes in liver of albino rats.
A patch of 104 male Wister albino rats averaged weights (130±10g) at the beginning of the experiment were divided into 6 main groups according to the treatment and requirements of the experiment. Control rats group, DPE group treated orally with DPE at dose 1.2 mg/kg body weight, venoms groups: Rats injected with a single dose of Cerastes cerastes for one day, this group divided into three subgroups injected by a single dose of 1/4 LD50, 1/2 LD50 and LD50 for one day also for two weeks groups, venoms treated with DPE groups treated orally with DPE for two weeks before /and after injecting of a single dose of venom at dose 1/4 LD50, 1/2 LD50 and LD50 for one day. Each group contains 6 rats except venom groups of LD50 were 8 rats and six rats were sacrificed after the 1st day, 2nd and 4th week from each group of treatment.
The results showed a significant raise of some hepatic parameters
(ALAT, ASAT, ALP, TG, CHO and LDL-C), while a significant reduction
in some other parameters (Total protein, albumin and HDL-C), on the 1st day and 2nd weeks in rats injected intraperitoneal with Cerastes cerastes venom as compared to the control groups. The administration of the DPE ameliorated the side effects of the poisonous changes of Cerastes cerastes venom.
In conclusion, according to the results obtained revealed that the administration of DPE had hepatoprotective effects against envenomation with Cerastes cerastes venom in male Wister albino rats by inhibiting oxidative stress through ROS scavenger and improvement of the biochemical markers.

he available numbers of date palm males are insufficient for efficiently pollinating the increased female date palms in Egypt. Most of date palm males available for pollinating different female cultivars are mainly originated from seed propagation; resulting in many different local males that represent a source of genetic diversity. Characterization and evaluation of the present male pollen as a superior one for each female cultivar should be the first step to establish an intensive program to produce superior (highly potent) males through different procedures. Six local male date palm genotypes were subjected to characterization and evaluation using morphological attributes of trunk, crown, leaves, inflorescence, pollen grain attributes and pollen fertility as well as leaf protein profile. The compatibility between the studied male genotypes and Zaghloul female cultivar was evaluated. Clear variations in morphological aspects of spathes were recorded, including number of spathes per palm tree, average weight of complete spathe, number of spikelets, number of flowers per each spikelet, and the resulted pollen grain weight. The genetic fingerprint at protein level showed that male number. 1 is more related to Zaghloul female cultivars. The viability testing showed that the pollen grains ranged from 85.24 % to 98.5% using the aceto-carmine method, whereas it ranged from 80.1 to 95.54% when using the germination method. Male genotype number 1, 2 and 6 are more related to each other as well as Zaghloul female cultivars than other studied male genotypes. These three male genotypes may be originated from Zaghloul seeds and it is more compatible to zaghloul female cultivars than other studied male genotypes.

Until recently, there has been no set of model descriptors for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). We propose here a system of descriptors for date palm to meet the needs of genebanks, in situ and ex situ conservation activities, and as an aid in diversity studies. Multi-score and bi-state systems are used to express the date palm traits. We have compiled standard passport data (17 parameters); details of eco-geography (13 parameters); ethno-botany (15 parameters); management (18 parameters); characterization (58 vegetation parameters, 27 fruit parameters, 22 seed parameters, 41 inflorescence parameters, 4 molecular marker parameters, 5 cytological parameters and 24 biochemical parameters); and evaluation activities (66 biotic stress parameters and 13 abiotic stress parameters). These attributes were derived from 1275 samples representing 55 varieties cultivated in Egypt. Trait data were collected both from trees growing in their natural habitats as well as from trees growing ex situ on the farm of the Central Laboratory of Date Palm Research and Development (CLDPRD) genebank. The proposed date palm descriptors provide a standardized information set for all characterization and evaluation activities for date palm genebanks.

Background: The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic fruit extracts of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) against thioacetamide-induced liver damage in male albino wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-five (25) male albino rats, (200-250 g) were used for the study and they were placed into five groups (A to E). Groups A, B, and C were given silymarin (50 mg/kg), low dose of the extract (300 mg/kg) and high dose of the extracts (600 mg/kg) respectively for ten (10) consecutive days through the oral route (p.o). On the eleventh (11th) day, thioacetamide (TA) was administered at the dose of 200mg/kg subcutaneously to groups A to D. Group E was not given any form of treatment whatsoever and served as normal control. Forty-eight hours after TA administration, blood samples were collected from all the animals through the retro-orbital sinus into appropriately labeled plain bottles for assay of serum liver enzymes, albumin and total bilirubin. Also, liver was excised for histopathological assessment. Result: The fruit of Phoenix dactylifera had an oral LD50 >6000 mg/kg in rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. There was a significant rise in the level of biochemical makers of liver damage like ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin and a fall in albumin in TA-treated groups when compared with the respective values for extract and silymarin treated groups (p<0.001). Also, when compared with the normal control group (Group E), with the values of 36.40±4.28 U/L, 43.20 ± 4.31 U/L, 62.55 ± 5.8 U/L, 8.12 ± 0.52µmol/L and 49.84 ± 4.42g/L for ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin and albumin respectively, group B had respective values that were significantly different from it (p<0.05) whereas group C values were not significantly different from group E values (p>0.05). Histopathological findings in the test groups showed mild alteration in histoarchitecture when compared with TA group which showed extensive vacuolation, inflammatory cells and generalized necrosis. Conclusion: P. dactylifera has a hepatoprotective effect in thioacetamide induced hepatic necrosis in rats.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder triggered by disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolisms, where either reduced secretion or sensitivity of insulin is observed coupled with poor glucose control. Date palm fruits are one of the fruits reported to have good potential in diabetes treatment due to its presence of polyphenols exerting strong antioxidant activities. Other possible mechanisms of action include the polyphenolic compounds, which can inhibit enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Flavonoids in dates can stimulate β-cells by increasing the number of islets and β-cells, recovering endocrine pancreatic tissues, reducing β-cell apoptosis, activating insulin receptors following the increase in insulin secretion, in addition to improving diabetes-induced complications. In this review, the in vitro, in vivo, and human study-based evidence of date palm as an anti-diabetic fruit is summarised.

Genetic diversity of ten cultivars, which represent all semi-dry date palm in Egypt are subjected to identification, characterization and documentation using electrophoretic analysis. DNA profiles using RAPD analysis for 5 primers (A-07,A-12, L-13, L-16 &L-20) and ISSR analysis for 5 primers (HB-10, HB-11, HB-13, HB-15 & 17899B) as well as protein profile are conducted for establishing genetic markers in order to discriminate among the semi-dry date palm cultivars in Egypt. Degllet Nour could be separate from the Egyptian semi-dry date palm by presence of specific protein of molecular weight 45.00 KD. Deglet Nour, imported from the North West Africa, and Ashbeer which cultivated in far West in Siwa Oasis are closely related. DNA profiles using RAPD analysis for primer A-07 and L-16 are the most efficient to distinguished Deglet Nour from the other semi-dry date palm cultivars. Primer A-12 of RADD analysis and HB-13 of ISSR Analysis are less effective to discriminate the morphological identical cultivars Sewi from Saidi, but the rest 8 primers are more efficient to separate the two cultivars. So, Sewi from Saidi could be treated as two separate cultivars. This data will be used to enhance sources of information of date palm gene bank of the Central Laboratory of Date Palm Research & Development (CLDPRD), Agricultural Research Center, Egypt.

In Open Access: follow the link!
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00004609

La présence d'oasis dans le Sahara peut sembler une aberration écologique. Les palmeraies et les jardins qu'elles abritent sont en fait le fruit d'une conquête millénaire qui se poursuit encore aujourd'hui. Ces paysages artificiels, terroirs irrigués soigneusement façonnés et entretenus, sont l'archétype des systèmes naturels anthropisés.

Cet ouvrage a été réalisé à partir d'enquêtes de terrain ethnographiques menées dans le Jérid tunisien, mais aussi dans le Tassili n'Ajjer (Djanet, Algérie) et l'oued Draa (Zagora, Maroc). Si cette perspective comparative révèle la diversité des pratiques et savoirs oasiens et des relations à l'environnement, à la "nature", elle met aussi en valeur les dynamiques locales qui se déploient au-delà de l'habituel dualisme entre tradition et modernité. Par ailleurs, plusieurs échelles d'étude, de la planche de cultures au jardin et du parcellaire à la palmeraie, permettent de souligner la variété des articulations entre facteurs écologiques, économiques et sociaux.

Le Sahara cultivé n'offre pas une mais des natures oasiennes en constante évolution, construites à partir de cette richesse anthropologique.

AIM: This study histologically assessed the protective effect of chloroform fruit extract of Phoenix dactylifera (CFP) on mercuric chloride–induced cerebral damage in adult Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats (male and female; 100-120g) were divided into six groups (A–F; n=4). Group A (control) was administered distilled H 2O (2ml/kg), while groups B– F were treatment groups. Cerebral damage was experimentally induced in Wistar rats by administering mercuric chloride (HgCl 2). Group B was administered HgCl 2 (5 mg/kg). Group C was administered vitamin C (100 mg/kg), as standard drug, followed by HgCl 2 (5 mg/kg), while groups D, E and F were administered CFP (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, respectively) followed by HgCl 2 (5 mg/kg). Treatment was for a period of two weeks. All administrations were via oral route. Histopathological examination of cerebral sections, applying routine (H & E) staining techniques, was employed to study the neuroprotective activity of CFP on the rats' cerebral cortex (layers III and V). RESULTS: Histopathological examination of cerebral sections revealed cortical neuronal degeneration, such as neuronal (pyramidal cell) shrinkage, perineuronal vacuolation, chromatolysis, gliosis, karyorrhexis, pyknosis and distortion of general histoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex was observed in HgCl 2-treated group. The administration of CFP, however, remarkably ameliorated neuronal damage induced by HgCl 2 treatment, in a dose dependent manner, when compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Result suggests that, CFP possesses neuroprotective potentials against mercuric chloride-induced cerebral damage in Wistar rats.

The genetic variability and relationships among 14 date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) accessions representing six Egyptian cultivars were assayed using 27 RAPD and 10 ISSR primers. The level of polymorphism among the 14 accessions as revealed by RAPD and ISSR was 25.2% and 28.6%, respectively. These low levels of polymorphism reflect the narrow genetic background of these accessions. The genetic relationships among the 14 accessions were estimated in terms of similarity using Dice coefficients. The genetic similarity ranged from 96.1% to 99.5% and from 91.2% to 100% for RAPD and ISSR, respectively. The inter-cultivar relationships among the six date palm cultivars based on RAPD and ISSR revealed the highest genetic similarity between the cultivar Bertmoda and each of the cultivars Malkaby and Sakkoty. The RAPD and ISSR based dendrograms clustered the accessions belonging to each of the 3 cultivars Fraihy, Siwi and Gandila in separate groups. However, the reshuffling in the position ...

A Morphometric taxonomical study has been conducted on 52 date palm cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) including 21 soft, 10 semi-dry and 21 dry cultivars based on one hundred and three morphological characters. The date were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods, Unweigheted pair Group Arithemetic-average (UPGMA), Weighted Group-average Sorting (WPGMA) and Increment-in-sum of Squares Flexible Sorting (ISS). UPGMA, WPGMA and ISS were separated the 52 date palm cultivars to 7 soft, 6 dry and 1 semi-dry, as well as fused nineteen pair of date palm cultivars. The present study indicated that the used analytical methods (UPGMA, WPGMA and ISS) are suitable for classification of date palm cultivars.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder triggered by disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolisms, where either reduced secretion or sensitivity of insulin is observed coupled with poor glucose control. Date palm fruits are one of the fruits reported to have good potential in diabetes treatment due to its presence of polyphenols exerting strong antioxidant activities. Other possible mechanisms of action include the polyphenolic compounds, which can inhibit enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Flavonoids in dates can stimulate β-cells by increasing the number of islets and β-cells, recovering endocrine pancreatic tissues, reducing β-cell apoptosis, activating insulin receptors following the increase in insulin secretion, in addition to improving diabetes-induced complications. In this review, the in vitro, in vivo, and human study-based evidence of date palm as an anti-diabetic fruit is summarised.

The  date  palm,  Phoenix  dactylifera  L.  is  the  notable  palm  which  produces  a  nutrient-rich edible  fruit  (the  date),  well  known  for  its  unique  attributes  of  medicine  and  healthy  energy.    It  is  a species  that  has  been  cultivated  since  early  civilizations  in  the  fertile  crescent  and  later  in  the Middle  East.  It  is  typically  cloned  with  many  cultivars  (over  3000).  A  means  of  accurately identifying  specific  clones  and  an  understanding  of  the  relationships  among  major  commercial cultivars  would  provide  valuable  information  for  the  maintenance,  potentially  an  improvement  and continued  conservation  of  superior  genotypes.  Phylogenetic  relationships  amid  commercial  date cultivars  are  poorly  understood,  despite  their  importance.  This  research  aimed  at  providing applicable  knowledge  through  an  expedient  technique,  by  developing  an  exclusively  tailored Simple  Sequence  Repeat  (SSR)  panel,  custom-made  for  date  palm  fingerprinting  and  molecular identification  also  named  as  ‘Dates  PalmàPrinting’.    This  assembled  modified  genotyping  by microsatellite  markers  provides  a  standardized  approach  to  cultivar  identification  and  a  quality control  application  in  date  palm  micropropagation  production.  A  deeper  understanding  and relationship  of  today’s  major  commercial  cultivars  is  incomplete.  Improving  the  development  and productivity  of  this  tree  species  is  restricted  due  to  few  genetic  resources.  Only  regionally  narrowed studies  have  been conducted but  it  is  more  important  to have  a  broader base  of such knowledge.  The present  research  reports  on  20  selected,  commercially  important  date  palm  cultivars,  consisting of  18  females  and  2  males,  which  are  grown  throughout  the  world.  The  knowledge  of  relationships among  these  cultivars  is  needed,  although  the  date  palm  genome  has  been  mostly  sequenced  (90.2 %)  with  41,660  gene  models  representing  an  82,354  scaffold.  The  relationships  among  the  major cultivars  remain  unclear.  Presently,  the  information  on  the  characterization  of  these  cultivars requires  an  assessment  to  better  understand  the  relationships  among  the  superior  genotypes.  The use  of  microsatellites,  due  to  their  accuracy  and  high  polymorphic  capability,  have  led  to  fine  scaled phylogenies.  The  phylogenetic  relationships  were  determined  using  neighbor  joining  un-rooted trees  correlated  with  genetic  structure  clustering.    Primer  selections  were  achieved  from  evaluation of  14  nuclear  SSR  loci  isolated  from  P.  dactylifera.  Results  revealed  a  high  degree  of polymorphism  observed  in  the  20  cultivars  with  fewer  common  alleles  than  anticipated.    Within the  cultivars  studied,  a  broad  heterozygosity  across  base  pair  (bp)  amplification  data  has  led  to  an understanding  of  limited  inbreeding,  accounting  for  possible  adaptation  to  environmental  changes and  revealing  conserved  extensive  array  of  genomic  structure.  Population  structure  analysis suggests  a  large  genetic  boundary  between  Northwest  African  and  Middle  Eastern  cultivars  with  6 subpopulations  that  represent  divergences  and  fragments  of  admixture  in  cultivars  present  in  these regions.    The  possible  selection  of  potential  and  good  quality  parents  is  achievable  for  improving cultivars  by  generating  population  and  structure  maps.  This  analysis  documents  patterns  of relationship  and  provides  genetic  structure  and  diversity  of  gene  pool  specificity  complexes  of  date palm  cultivars. This  study  provides  insights  about  the  relationships  that  exist  among  cultivars  of  interest  through genetic  sequence  analysis  using  SSRs,  facilitating  the  development  of  a  standard  approach  to identification and enhancements  to the  micropropagation process.

In Open Access: follow the link!
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00004025

The Kel Ajjer Touaregs of Djanet cultivate date palms in their oasis grove as practised elsewhere in the Sahara, but with one difference: subterfuge. This is not simple plant domestication in which humans deal with insensitive biological material shaped by generations of oasis dwellers, but a kind of interaction as in animal domestication; people use subterfuge so as not to clash with the temperament of the species, which shuns the sui generis smell of humans.