Electrophoretic Analysis of Protein Patterns in Date Palm "Khalas" Cultivar Leaflets Among Different Locations of Al-Ahsa

Proteins extracted from different date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) trees "Khalas" Cultivar leaflets, which were collected from 10 different locations of Al-Ahsa oasis in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, have been analyzed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The present study showed different protein patterns, which revealed by NJ and UPGMA clustering methods into three major clusters 1, 2 and 3. Cluster 1 occupies distinct place in the dendrogram that composed of OY, OM, T and SH locations samples were reflected (monomorphism). Cluster 2 included A and AM locations samples that distinguished each by unique band. While the Cluster 3 included B, G, J and M locations samples which separated singly one by one, since there are no enough sharing bands to cluster them together except they were low in their protein content. The results collectively indicated that the difference in clustering patterns is mainly due to genetic variations. Additionally, cluster 1 location samples may represent the proposed original "Khalas" cultivar, while the other tree samples originated from seeds resembled the original cultivar. More genetic and biochemical studies should be conducted to support this conclusion. However, identification of the original "Khalas" cultivar is important to guaranty the superior characteristics of cultivated cultivar trees.