Evaluation of sesame genotypes for seed yield and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami) disease resistance in optimum moisture areas of Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Weres Negash Golla,Assefa Abadi Kebede,Yirga Belay Kindeya,Manuel Tejada Moral

doi:10.1080/23311932.2020.1771114

Weres Negash Golla, Assefa Abadi Kebede + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1771114

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Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the major producers of sesame in sub-Saharan Africa, and Ethiopian sesame particularly the whitish Humera type is among the highest quality in the world. However, the yield is lower than some of the producing countries due to many factors including low yielding varieties and bacterial blight disease severities. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating sesame genotypes for yield and bacterial blight disease resistance during 2017/18 –2018/19 main cropping seasons at Dansha, Ethiopia. Sixteen sesame genotypes were evaluated with one local variety in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications under hot spot area for bacterial blight disease infection. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference among the genotypes for yield, yield-related traits and bacterial blight disease severity. Higher seed yield was recorded in genotype WARC-063 (716.2 kg) with a mean yield advantage of 24.3% over the standard check Humera-1 whereas the lowest seed yield was recorded in WARK-081 (354.0 kg/ha). In response to disease reaction, four genotypes (WARC-063, WARK-074, Gonder-1, and Gida-Ayana) were resistant against bacterial blight and had higher grain yield than the rest of genotypes. From the study result, it could be concluded that genotype WARC-063, WARK-074, Gonder-1 and Gida-Ayana were both high yielding and resistant to bacterial blight disease and could be cultivated for seed yield in areas with bacterial blight disease problems. They could also be used in sesame breeding programs for further improvement.

Highlights

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) otherwise known as Sesamum, member of the family Pedaliaceae, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crop grown mainly for its high oil content of the seeds that contain approximately 52–57% oil and 25% protein content (Khan et al, 2009; Umar et al, 2010)
The average yield of the sesame genotypes ranges from 716.2 kg/ha to 402.7 kg/ha (Table 2)
The yield obtained from the present genotype WARC-063 was higher in comparison with the regional and national average yield of 607 kg/ha and 686 kg/ha, respectively (Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) otherwise known as Sesamum, member of the family Pedaliaceae, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crop grown mainly for its high oil content of the seeds that contain approximately 52–57% oil and 25% protein content (Khan et al, 2009; Umar et al, 2010). Areas with annual rainfall of 625–1100 mm and temperature of >27°C are the most conducive for sesame production. Ethiopia is one of the popular sesame producers in the world and the seed produced in western Tigray (Humera type) is highly competent in the world market by its desirable qualities in terms of color, taste and aroma (Taghouti et al, 2017). The major sesame producing regions in Ethiopia are situated in the low land of northwest and southwest, being northwestern regions have comparatively the highest yield per hectare (Wijnands et al, 2007)

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