Genetic variations of isozymes in cultivated sesame (Sesamum indicum L)

Patterns of variation for seven enzyme systems were studied in 68 accessions of cultivated sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), 12 from Japan, 15 from Korea and 41 from Thailand. Only one enzyme system, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), of these exhibited variation. The IDH isozymes were shown to be controlled by a single locus (Idh) with two alleles. The two alleles were widely distributed in the accessions from the three countries. As few gene markers which have simple genetic control are available in sesame, these IDH isozymes could contribute to a range of studies in the breeding and genetics of sesame.