Evaluation of Genetic Stability in Somatic Embryo Derived Plantlets of Six Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars through RAPD Based Molecular Marker

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), is an economically important fruit yielding monocotyledonous and dioecious species. We have established a high regenerative protocol for six important date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars (Barhee, Zardai, Khalasah, Muzati, Shishi and Zart) through somatic embryogenesis and regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted for hardening. But, before using this protocol for date palm forest breeding programs, it is the imperative or desirable to confirm the true-to-type nature of somatic embryos derived plantlets. Here, in the present investigation, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to investigate the patterns and distribution of genetic variability within somatic embryo derived plantlets and their mother plants using seventy primers. Out of the seventy primers, 62 primers produced 558 genetic loci with high quality and reproducibility. The RAPD profile of the somatic embryo derived plantlets showed similar banding patterns to that of the mother plant thus demonstrating the homogeneity of the micropropagated plants. Similarity matrix showed 100% similarity between mother tree and the plantlets derived from somatic embryos by given 1 pair-wise value. This protocol of somatic embryogenesis could thus be successfully used for the mass multiplication and germplasm conservation of date palm forest breeding programme in future.