INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION IN THREE SPECIES OF SESAMUM

Abstract

Fruit setting was obtained when B-67, a cultivar of Sesamum indicum, was used ,as female in the crosses with S. mulayanum (2n =26) and S. laciniatum (2n =32). The Fl hybrids of B-67 x S. laciniatum died before flowering, while those of B-67 x S. mulayanum were characterized by pansy violet corolla colour (intermediate between parents),having mostly four univalents at MI (n =13) and resembling the wild parent in insect (Antigastra catanaulis) resistance, black reticulated seed coat, and violet marking along longitudinal anther wall. Like B-67, seed shape was narrowly ovate. It is indicated that S. indicum and S. mulayanum are closely related and insect resistance of the latter is transferable.