Social History, Genetic diversity and Origin of Date palm in Baluchistan

Abstract

PakistanstandsfifthamongleadingdateproducingnationsgloballywithprovinceofBaluchistan as the leading contributor. The long history of date palm cultivation in Baluchistan and its geo-political position in relation to Iran and Oman signifies its importance for diversity analysis. The present study was designed to examine the nature and level of genetic diversity in date palm collected from Baluchistan to explore its potential as a center of origin which is currently unclear. Fifty-two microsatellite markers were used to analyze the geneticrelationshipamonghundred(sixtyonefromBaluchistanandthirtyninefromPunjab) date palm cultivars. Different diversity indices were calculated for Baluchistan accessions and then compared them with Punjab genotypes. The results highlighted the presence of rich allelic diversity and high variation within the Baluchistan germplasm as compared to Punjab. The cluster analysis divided the entire population of hundred genotypes from both regions into seven groups with 50% admixed lines. The structure approach identified low levels of geographical structuring and suggested that mixed geographical distribution may be the result of gene flow between two regions. The variation detected through SSR markers highlighted that Baluchistan is rich in date palm diversity and it could be one of the regions claiming their position as centre of diversity especially in eastern gene pool. The estimated diversity could also be used for future breeding programs, association mapping, gene cloning and germplasm conservation. Punjab germplasm was also studied for morphologicalvariationforthirtytwoqualitativeandquantitativetraits. Theclusteringanalysis showed that the distribution of the cultivars into groups was independent of geographical origin. Angoor (Muzaffargarh) genotype showed good performance with regard to fruit width and petiole width. While Akhrot (Muzaffargarh) genotype had high statistic contributionof flesh taste. The resultssuggestedthat Muzaffargarhgermplasm was more diverse thanJhangandBahawalpur. Socialdataaboutcropdiversityandsocialimportancerevealed that growers used to cultivate different date palm cultivars on the basis of preferences and usage. Begum Jangi was the most preferred variety by all the respondents because of its high production potential and its longer storage time. The coefficients associated with the farming experience, income , education, age of trees and number of trees showed statistically significant and positive effect on the number of genotypes grown. While negative relation of education with number of genotypes was observed.