| dc.description.abstract | Sesame is an orphan crop with little research attention in Kenya. Genetic relationship between cultivated
sesame and related wild species in Kenya is not well known. The objective of this study was to
determine genetic relationship between traditional landraces of sesame and related wild species using
somatic chromosome counts and isozyme markers. Somatic chromosome counts of four wild species
revealed a consistent chromosome number of 2n = 32, which differed from that of the cultivated sesame
(2n = 26), indicating genetic variation in chromosome counts. Only esterase exhibited significant
variation and accession-specific esterase bands were identified. Three cathodic and eight anodic bands
were observed and the variable bands ranged from 2 to 6 per accession. Cathodic bands with varied
relative migration were observed in wild species only, whereas anodic bands were observed for all the
accessions. Accessions of cultivated sesame were more genetically diverse compared to wild species.
Morogoro, 107UG, Indian-1 and Indian-2 recorded the highest number of esterase bands, while 103w had
the lowest number of bands. Few common bands were found between cultivated sesame and related
wild species indicating a distant genetic relationship. Few gene markers are available in sesame and
related wild species, therefore, esterase isozymes can contribute to studies in the breeding and genetics
of sesame. | en_US |
