A multidimensional core set development of sesame germplasm leveraging agro-morphological traits diversity for genetic improvement and climate resilience

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an important oilseed crop, requires genetic improvement to ensure food security. Exploitation of a small fraction of genetic diversity is a major limiting factor for this crop. ICAR-NBPGR holds a large sesame base collection (6,000 unique accessions), originating from India and other countries. The study aims at the characterization of a sesame germplasm collection and development of working core set representing the variability of entire germplasm collection in the National Genebank. Characterization was carried out in an Augmented Block Design (ABD) under multi-environmental conditions (six locations representing five agro-ecological zones of India) for two consecutive years based on 33 agro-morphological traits, different levels of biotic stress (phyllody, dry root rot), abiotic stress (water logging, drought), and seed quality parameters (oil, protein, lignan, fatty acids). For core set preparation, the coincidence rate (CR%) for range and the variable rate (VR%) for coefficient of variation were maximum. Levene’s test and Newman-Keuls tests were performed to compare the entire and core collection. Diversity between the two (entire and core collection) was compared using Shannon–Weaver diversity index. We developed a sesame core set of 773 accessions, which consists of 12.88% of the entire collection. Developed core set exhibited a Coincidence rate (CR)% of 99.8% and a variable rate (VR%) of CV 103.59%. A multipurpose core set of sesame germplasm was assembled to benefit the plant breeding community (for trait introgression), farmers, and researchers to develop climate-resilient sesame cultivars.

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Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20647-w
Primary Topic
Sesame and Sesamin Research
Type
article
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article

A multidimensional core set development of sesame germplasm leveraging agro-morphological traits diversity for genetic improvement and climate resilience

Hemavati Ranebennur, Pardeep Kumar, Indu Rialch, Sharik Ali et al.
Scientific Reports
Sesame and Sesamin Research
article

A multidimensional core set development of sesame germplasm leveraging agro-morphological traits diversity for genetic improvement and climate resilience

Hemavati Ranebennur, Pardeep Kumar, Indu Rialch, Sharik Ali, Sunil Shriram Gomashe, Celia Chalam Vasimalla, Subhrajit Satpathy, U. B. Angadi, Vanraj Gohil, Sanjula Sharma, Vandna Rai, Sapna Langyan, Artika Singh, Najam Akhtar Shakil, Senthil Ramachandran, Virendra Singh Rana, Kriti Gupta, Mamta Singh, Dev Kumar Arya, Kartar Singh, Rajani Bisen, Kanakasabapathi Pradheep, Sita Ram Kumhar, Kamna Kumari, Kriti Sharma, Harinder Vishwakarma, Kapil Tiwari, Rashmi Yadav, Parimalan Rangan, Renu Pandey, Kuldeep Singh, Sanjay Kalia, Ajay Kumar, Abhishek Rathore, A. Mahalingam, G. Senthilraja, Rakesh Choudhary, Anuj Kumar Singh, J. Aravind, Radhamani Jalli, Ashok Kumar, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Pankaj Sharma
article en

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an important oilseed crop, requires genetic improvement to ensure food security. Exploitation of a small fraction of genetic diversity is a major limiting factor for this crop. ICAR-NBPGR holds a large sesame base collection (6,000 unique accessions), originating from India and other countries. The study aims at the characterization of a sesame germplasm collection and development of working core set representing the variability of entire germplasm collection in the National Genebank. Characterization was carried out in an Augmented Block Design (ABD) under multi-environmental conditions (six locations representing five agro-ecological zones of India) for two consecutive years based on 33 agro-morphological traits, different levels of biotic stress (phyllody, dry root rot), abiotic stress (water logging, drought), and seed quality parameters (oil, protein, lignan, fatty acids). For core set preparation, the coincidence rate (CR%) for range and the variable rate (VR%) for coefficient of variation were maximum. Levene’s test and Newman-Keuls tests were performed to compare the entire and core collection. Diversity between the two (entire and core collection) was compared using Shannon–Weaver diversity index. We developed a sesame core set of 773 accessions, which consists of 12.88% of the entire collection. Developed core set exhibited a Coincidence rate (CR)% of 99.8% and a variable rate (VR%) of CV 103.59%. A multipurpose core set of sesame germplasm was assembled to benefit the plant breeding community (for trait introgression), farmers, and researchers to develop climate-resilient sesame cultivars.

Scientific Reports
Junagadh Agricultural University (IN), Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IN), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (IN), The University of Queensland (AU), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur (IN), Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (IN), Government of India (IN), Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (IN), Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (IN), Department of Biotechnology (IN), National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (IN), ICAR-National Bureau Of Plant Genetic Resources (IN), Ministry of Science and Technology (IN), Agriculture and Food (AU), National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (IN), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (IN), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IN), Jodhpur National University (IN), Central Agricultural University (IN), Punjab Agricultural University (IN)
Climate action
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Sesame and Sesamin Research
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