Characterization and Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Wild Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in Jordan

Abstract

This thesis has been submitted by Mu’wya Ayed Alasasfa in partial fulfillment of the PhD Degree in Horticulture and Crop Science, University of Jordan, under the co-supervision of Dr. Mahmud A. Duwayri (University of Jordan) and Dr. Ayed Abdallat (ICARDA). Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an angiosperm that belongs to monocots, and is considered the most important and ancient cultivated species in the Arab world (Elshibli, 2009). It was found in Iraq and Egypt before 3000 BC (Al– Ekidy, 2000), but a recent study reported an archaeological evidence on date cultivation in the eastern Arabia in 6000 BC. However, Al–Ekidy (2000); reported that the native land of date palm is the Arabian Gulf, and this claim was supported by (De Candolle, 1883) who pointed out that the origin of date palm trees was the semi dry and hot region stretching from Senegal to Andalusia. Date palm trees are classified as dioecious, perennial, monocotyledon, diploid (2n= 36)