As climate change accelerates, breeding resilient crops is urgent. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a crucial 18 billion USD fruit crop, underpins North African and West Asian oasis agroecosystems.… Click to show full abstract
As climate change accelerates, breeding resilient crops is urgent. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a crucial 18 billion USD fruit crop, underpins North African and West Asian oasis agroecosystems. This study investigates the genetics and morphology of its closest wild relative, the endemic and endangered Cape Verde date palm (Phoenix atlantica A.Chev.). We reveal that the latter originated through a feralisation process from domesticated date palms, evolving back into a wild state with unique genetic diversity. This highlights the need to protect its distinctiveness and opens the possibility of enhancing date palm resilience through its inclusion in breeding programs.
Journal Title: Plants
Year Published: 2025
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