The Use of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA to Fingerprint Different Iraqi Varieties of Date Palms ( Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate fingerprint and genetic relationship among 9 Iraqi varieties of date palm Phoenixdactylifera L. namely Asabee Aroose, Zahdi, Sukari, Saada, Ashrasy, Barben, Shetwi, Khistawi and Nhair Al Saly. 20 primers were used to detect DNA markers using RandomAmplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Analysis showed that many primers gave unique band in all samples made possible fingerprint identification of each cultivar, Ashrasy variety gave highest 6 unique polymorphic bands with primers OPA – 08, OPC – 04, OPF – 05 and OPF – 12, while Zahdy variety gave 1 unique polymorphic band (385 pb) with primer OPB – 05 .