Comparative Botanical and Genetic Diversity Study of Different Cultivars of Sesamum indicum L. Cultivated in Egypt

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a plant belonging to the Family Pedaliaceae. It grows worldwide in India, Sudan and China. The high nutritive and curative effects of sesame favour its wide use in culinary and traditional medicines in many countries. No reports could be traced concerning the macromorphological and micromorphological characterization or genetic profiling of S. indicum L. cultivars (Shandawel-3, Giza-32 and Toshka) cultivated in Egypt. The establishment of proper identification and authentication of such valuable plant deemed necessary. Therefore, botanical and genetic diversity study of the three cultivars using RAPD markers were investigated. Detailed morphological study through examination of transverse sections in the lamina and midrib region, examination of surface preparations and powders of the three cultivars.Also, Genetic study was performed using twelve primers producing a total of ninety-nine RAPD fragments, of which twenty-five bands (25.25%) were polymorphic. The number of bands per primer ranged from two to fourteen, while the number of polymorphic bands ranged from zero to six and monomorphic bands ranged from two to twelve. Unique bands were observed with eleven primers. Unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering resulted in two major groups. Results showed that all cultivars have nearly similar macro and micromorphological characters but differ in the dimensions of certain elements with high level of genetic similarity. Thus, this study helped in providing a useful tool for identification of sesame for germplasm banks maintenance and effective parents selection in breeding programs.