1The date palm is excessively shy, taking seven to ten years before unveiling its first flowers, and therefore its gender. This dioecious species is either male or female, like the fig tree and the kiwi. This feature is not convenient for farmers: when they plant a seed they have a 50-50 chance of growing a male plant for seven years, which is a pollinator but is unable to produce dates.

Dikhil palm grove, Djibouti.

2This is why, in North Africa, in countries where palm groves are a tradition, farmers have overwhelmingly opted for clonal multiplication. Female plant cuttings are endlessly replanted, causing a significant loss of genetic diversity in the date palms of these regions. This is detrimental to the organoleptic properties of dates and limits the adaptability of crops to diseases or climate change.

Young date palm plants, ADIM NGO, Djibouti.

3Hence the date palm selection programmes that have been developed since 2007, notably through a federated network of African countries. In 2011, a Qatari team published the first date palm genome. With this sequencing, IRD researchers identified three genetic markers, making it possible for the first time to distinguish between males and females in 100% of cases.

4This discovery, patented in 2012, has revolutionised practices. In Morocco, it is used to plant male plants in traditional palm groves to overcome the pollinator shortage. In Djibouti, it is used to select female plants and set up new palm groves in the desert.