Characterization of palm date varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) growing in Saudi Arabia: Phenotypic diversity estimated by fruit and seed traits

Authors

  • Abdullah H.M. ALRASHIDI University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440 (SA)
  • Arshad JAMAL University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440 (SA)
  • Mohammad J. ALAM University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440 (SA)
  • Lassaad GZARA King Abdulaziz University, Center of Excellence in Desalination Technology, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah 21589 (SA)
  • Najla HADDAJI University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440 (SA)
  • Mnaouer KACHOUT University of Hail, College of Computer Science and Engineering, Department of Computer Engineering; Carthage University, SupCom, Tunis (SA)
  • Abdelmuhsin ABDELGADIR University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440 (SA)
  • Riadh BADRAOUI University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440; Tunis El Manar University, Medicine College of Tunis, Section of Histology - Cytology, Road Djebel Lakhdhar, 1007 La Rabta, Tunis (SA)
  • Salem ELKAHOUI University of Hail, College of Science, Department of Biology, Hail, PO Box 2440; Center of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Bioactive Substances, Ecopark of Borj Cédria, Hammam-Lif (SA) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5577-1011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha51112996

Keywords:

date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), Pearson r correlation (PRISM Graphpad, San Diego USA), PCA, phenotypic diversity Saudi palm date cultivars, UPGMA

Abstract

In order to determine the variation and the degree of diversity among the most well-known Saudi date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), this study applied various widely detectible fruit and seed features. The properties of the fruit and seeds were described using ten phenotypic traits. Eighteen date palm varieties from six production sites were used in this study (Ḥaʼil, Al-Madina, Al-Hassa, Al-Qassim, Kharaj, Najran). The data was analysed by Pearson r correlation. The principal components analysis (PCA) and UPGMA clustering were used to analyse the data set. According to PCA, the results showed significant variation among the analysed varieties. Our data shows that seed ratio varies among all varieties. The mean seed weight ratio varies between 4 and 13%. Varieties ‘Raziz’, ‘Lubab’ and ‘Wasily’ demonstrate higher seed ratio (over 10%). Whereas, Fankha depicts a 5 and 4% fresh and dry seed ratio. The statistical analysis indicates that the seed ratio in all 18 varieties is comparable in fresh and dry fruits. The result suggests variation among the numerous features due to dissimilarities and heterogeneity. However, the obtained results also propose the clustering and grouping of closely related features, e.g., weights of fresh and dry fruits. Eventually, it is suggested to conduct additional research on Saudi date palms utilizing more phenotypic traits in order to have a better understanding of the pack of morphological descriptors.

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Published

2023-03-27

How to Cite

ALRASHIDI, A. H., JAMAL, A., ALAM, M. J., GZARA, L., HADDAJI, N., KACHOUT, M., ABDELGADIR, A., BADRAOUI, R., & ELKAHOUI, S. (2023). Characterization of palm date varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) growing in Saudi Arabia: Phenotypic diversity estimated by fruit and seed traits. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 51(1), 12996. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha51112996

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Section

Research Articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nbha51112996