New microsatellite markers for assessment of genetic diversity in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

New primer pairs of genomic DNA microsatellite
markers were tested to assess the genetic diversity of
eleven date palm genotypes. The results indicated that out
of thirty, only seven primers (23.3%) failed to amplify the
expected PCR fragments, while thirteen primers (43.3%)
amplified monomorphic banding patterns and the remaining
ten primers (33.4%) generated polymorphic banding
patterns. A total of 77 alleles have been observed with a
mean of 7.7 alleles per locus. The average of gene diversity
was 0.80 ranging from 0.6 (in marker DP168) to 0.9 (in two
markers DP157 and DP175). These new co-dominant
markers will be a starting point for researchers making use
of the markers for genetic mapping and diversity analysis
of date palm.