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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
2Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Studies were carried out to compare the gross morphology – vegetative and floral of four species of the genus Sesamum L. occurring in Nigeria, West Tropical Africa with a view to provide information on their taxonomy, systematics, agronomic and identification traits at the early stage of their growth in the field as this has been problematic. Observations were made on fresh and herbarium specimens and records of relevant quantitative and qualitative traits taken. Appropriate statistical tools were applied to analyse quantitative traits. The results indicated variations strong enough to separate the taxa even at specific level. Similarities also exist that suggest they are still remaining together in a genus. Lower/early leaves separate them at species level. S. indicum–cordate, S. angustifolium–lanceolate, S. radiatum–ovate and S. alatum-oblong and identification at early stage of growth without flowers is possible. This information is available for the first time. The beak shape of capsules separates the taxa at specific levels. S. angustifolium–narrow oblong, S. indicum–broad oblong, S. Radiatum—square; whereas S. alatum has tapered apex. The seeds also aid in identifying Sesamum species: S. angustifolium–radially rough, S. indicum–smooth, S. radiatum–reticulately rough whereas S. alatum partially rough and winged. Dimensions of internode length, seed sizes and number of seeds per capsule, capsule length, beak length, and leaf dimensions separate the taxa at species level. Similarities which also suggest togetherness in same genus were identified and several documented for the first time.
Plant systematics,
Sesamum species
