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SESAME (Sesamum indicum, 2n=2x=26)
→ Sesame is a very ancient oilseed crop and is important self pollinated annual crop in
the tropics and warm sub-tropics.
→ Mainly grown in developing countries with largest areas in India, Myanmar, China,
Sudan, Nigeria and Uganda.
→ It grows well in tropical to temperate climates, it can set seed and yield well under
fairly high temperatures, it can grow on stored soil moisture without rainfall or
irrigation, it is a good crop in the rotation and is grown with low inputs.
→ In sesame very low yield is due to
− Siliqua shattering
− Indeterminate growth habit
− Non-synchronous capsule ripening
− Lack of improved cultivars
− Low harvest index
− Susceptibility to diseases, pests and environmental stresses
− Low rainfall and prolonged dry periods
− Lack of inputs
→ The major countries are India, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan and Uganda.
Origin: East Africa (Ethiopia) or Asia (Indian subcontinent) or Farther east (Central
Asia)
→ Sesame’s African origin is supported by the ones of wild sesame species in plenty.
→ As support for origin in Indian subcontinent charred sesame seed is found in
Harappan civilization (5000 years old).
→ Harlan (1986) concluded that India is the centre of origin because Sesamum
malabaricum, a weedy species is found only in India.
→ There are other species like S. anguistifolium and S. radiatum which are wild
species and were cultivated in Africa some time back.
→ Genus Sesamum, contains over 30 species, of which only S. indicum is cultivated.
The wild species S. anguistifolium and S. radiatum are some times cultivated.
Kabayashi (1991): reported 3 groups in Sesamum based on chromosome number.
1. Sesamum indicum and wild species S. alatum, S. capense, S. malabaricum →
2n=26, cultivated
2. S. prostratum, S. anguistifolium → 2n=32
3. S. radiatum, S. accindale → 2n=64 (X=13 or 8)
Two related genera are: Ceratotheca and Pedialium.
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BREEDING OBJECTIVES:
1. Breeding for higher seed yield:
Yield components:
− [Link] branches/ plant
− [Link] capsules/ plant
− [Link] capsules/ leaf axil
− Length of capsule bearing zone on the main stem
− Duration of flowering period
− [Link] carpels/ capsule
− [Link] seeds/ capsule
− Seed weight
− Harvest index
2. Breeding for seed characters
− Medium to larger seeds
− Shape & colour to meet market demand
− Seed coat rough or brittle
− Short term dormancy (few months)
− Higher oil content
− Higher lignin content for longer shelf life.
3. Breeding for desirable plant characters
− Vigorous germination & rapid growth
− Ability to withstand low temperature at early stage
− Rapid root growth
− Medium to broad leaves at the base
− Short petiole & short internodes
− Determinate habitat with uniform flowering
− 1-3 capsule per axil
− Full seed set
− Non shattering type
− Improved harvest index.
4. Breeding for oil content and fatty acid composition
→ Oil content ranges from 34.4 – 59.8%. Variation in oil content is both genotypic
and environmental.
→ Sesame seed oil mainly contains palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid.
5. Breeding for early maturity
6. Breeding for resistance to water logging, drought and salinity
7. Breeding for high responsiveness to fertilizers
8. Breeding for optimum [Link] capsules per unit area
9. Breeding for resistance to disease like Fusarium wilt, Alternaria leaf spot, powdery
mildew, leaf curl and phyllody.
10. Breeding for resistance to insects like sphingid moth, web worm.
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BREEDING METHODS:
1. Germplasm utilization & introduction
2. Pure line selection & mass selection
3. Hybridization & selection - Pedigree, Bulk, Backcross, Single capsule descent method
4. Production of hybrids: In china, two line breeding approach is followed.
5. Mutation breeding
Mutant varieties – Kalika (short stature), Uma (uniform maturity), Usha (higher yield)
6. Tissue culture & Biotechnology:
Varieties for Karnataka:
E-8 – White, bold seeded, moderately res. to powdery mildew, res. to bacterial leaf spot.
DS-1 - White seeded, non-branching, tolerant to bacterial blight & Alternaria leaf spot.
DSS-9 - White seeded, high yielding
Institute: IIOR on Sesame & Niger, Jabalpur (MP).