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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230830

Title: Characterization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) germplasm regenerated in Georgia, U.S.A.

Author
item Morris, John - Brad

Submitted to: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2009
Publication Date: 3/4/2009
Citation: Morris, J.B. 2009. Characterization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) germplasm regenerated in Georgia, U.S.A.. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 56(7):925-936.

Interpretive Summary: Sesame is used for food and cooking oil throughout the world. More than 1,200 accessions are stored at the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA. Limited information for producing sesame in Georgia is known. Natural variability for days to maturity, plant height, stem type, and seed production occurred. Sesame produced quality plants and more than 80,000 seed at Griffin indicating that sesame has potential for use in the southeastern U.S.

Technical Abstract: Sesame, Sesamum indicum L. is used worldwide for cooking oil and food. The USDA, ARS, PGRCU conserves 1,226 accessions originating from Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. Sesame accessions were directly seeded to the field in Griffin, GA between 15 May and 01 June 2003-2007. At 50% maturity, 192 accessions were characterized for morphological, phenological, and reproductive traits during the regeneration cycles. High quality plants regenerated from all accessions produced 131 to more than 80,000 total seeds. Sesame can be successfully grown and regenerated in Griffin, GA. Coefficients of variation revealed considerable variability among accessions for number of capsules per axil and reproductive traits including seed number and weight. Sufficient variation among sesame accessions exists for capsules per axil and reproductive traits among these sesame accessions to warrant breeding programs for further sesame cultivar development.