CROP

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) belonging to the order Tubiflorae, family Pedaliaceae, is an important and ancient oil-yielding crop cultivated for its flavorsome, edible seed and high quality oil It is a diploid species (2n =26) with an estimated genome size of 369 Mb. Sesame seed contains high oil content (46% - 50%) with 83% - 90% unsaturated fatty acids, 20% proteins and various minor nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, large amount of characteristic lignans such as sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin and tocopherols. Sesame, as a source of high quality oil is valued for its stability, nutritional value and resistance to rancidity and is often referred to as the “Queen of oil seeds”. Sesame is a promising target oilseed crop for biotechnological applications and marker based studies. The genetic manipulation in the crop along with other strategies would enable development of varieties with high nutritional and functional value.