Molecular characterization of Algerian date palm cultivars using circular plasmid-like DNAs

Abstract

Bayoud disease of the date palm (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) is a vascular disease caused by a soil fungus. Twenty one Algerian date palm cultivars (20 females and 1 male) in addition to 6 genotypes of Deglet Nour were assessed for resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) to Bayond disease using molecular markers. Specifically, the use of two circular plasmid-like DNAs (R and S plasmids) as molecular markers allowed us to detect the R cultivars. Among the 21 cultivars, we found that Baâret ljmal is resistant.