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Molecular Identification of Sex in Phoenix dactylifera Using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Abdulhafed A Al-Ameri1, Fahad Al-Qurainy1, Abdel-Rhman Z Gaafar1
1Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Biomed Research International
|July 16, 2016
Summary
Early sex identification of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) using molecular markers is crucial for profitable cultivation. Two Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers, IS_A02 and IS_A71, successfully distinguished male and female seedlings.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics
- Molecular biology
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Early sex identification in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is economically vital for seed-based cultivation.
- Lack of distinct morphological markers necessitates molecular approaches for seedling sex determination.
- Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers offer potential for rapid and reliable sex identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify sex-specific molecular markers for early Date Palm seedling sex determination.
- To screen Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers for sex-linked variations.
- To develop efficient and reproducible markers for commercial Date Palm cultivation.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 200 Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers in male and female Date Palm plants.
- Identification of primers producing unique bands associated with specific sexes.
- Excising, purifying, and sequencing of sex-specific DNA fragments.
Main Results:
- Two ISSR primers, IS_A02 and IS_A71, were identified as sex-specific.
- Primer IS_A02 (390 bp band) was present in all female and absent in all male plants.
- Primer IS_A71 (380 bp band) was present in all male and absent in all female plants.
Conclusions:
- ISSR primers IS_A02 and IS_A71 provide efficient, reliable, and reproducible sex identification in Date Palm seedlings.
- These markers facilitate early sex determination, enhancing profitability in Date Palm cultivation.
- Sequenced fragments pave the way for developing sequence-specific markers for future sex determination applications.
