Molecular identification of genetic diversity in date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from Algerian oases using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers

In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 102 Algerian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) samples from the oases of Biskra region, the oases of Bechar region, the oases of Adrar region, the oases of Oued Souf region and the oases of Ghardaia region, using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. They resulted in 56 alleles with an average of 6.22 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.222 (DP 171) to 1.000 (mPdCIR 50, mPdCIR 57, DP 159 and DP 169) with a mean of 0.687. The expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.364 (DP 171) to 0.855 (mPdCIR 50) with a mean of 0.694. From the results obtained in the germplasm of various analyzed Algerian date palm oases, a large genetic diversity was revealed.