This study, which confirms the long-term survival of date palm seeds, provides a unique opportunity to rediscover the origins of a historic date palm population that existed in Judea 2000 years ago. Structure analysis revealed that distribution of the germinated ancient date seeds was within previously described eastern and western date palm gene pools ( Fig. In the current study, ancient seeds were significantly longer and wider than both modern date varieties and wild date palms. Genotypes of the germinated ancient date seedlings cover a large part of present-day date palm distribution area, findings that reflect the variety, richness, and probable influences of the historic Judean date groves. In doing so, we will more fully understand the genetics and physiology of the ancient Judean date palm once cultivated in this region.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 05, 2020 18:56 UTC