Dubai: The Ministry of Environment and Water has completed the first phase of its Date Palm Tree Identification through DNA Profiling project in order to preserve the species for the country’s future.
The ministry collaborated with UAE University to collect 165 plant samples from mother date palm trees this year in the Al Hamraniya Agricultural Research Station, Dibba Experiments Station, and Al Dhaid Experiments Station.
Eng Saif Al Shar’a, Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural and Livestock Affairs at the ministry, said it is important for the ministry to establish a reference database for all the types of palm trees found in the UAE, as well as identify and document the extent of their diversity.
“DNA profiling is recognised as one of the most accurate techniques to ensure genetic stability of plants. It is also one of the internationally recognised means to determine genetic kinship with all other living organisms,” he said.
The initial phase of the project has three major stages: collection of samples, extraction and propagation of DNA. The data will then be analysed to determine its genetic series and then keyed into the international database.
Within the first phase, the samples were then sent to UAE University in preparation for the project’s second phase which is extraction of DNA.
The UAE is one of the largest producers of dates in the world. There are around 160 species of dates across the UAE.
Once the project is complete, it is projected to help increase the contribution of palm tree planting and date production to the country’s gross domestic product.
