Interspecific Hybridization between Sesamum indicum L. and Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl

Sesamum indicum L. (2n = 26) and Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. (2n = 32) were crossed to investigate their genomic relations and feasibility of gene exchange. Results showed that crossability between the two species was low. Pollen viability was drastically reduced in the F1 hybrids. This was attributed to meiotic abnormalities such as univalent and multivalent associations, non-disjunction bridges, and presence of fragments and micronuclei. Findings from this study also imply that gene exchange between Sesamum indicum L. and Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. is possible. The implications of these results in the species evolution are discussed