Abstract

In this study, the morphological and biochemical properties of local sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) populations which are widely cultivated in Kilis and its districts, collected from 12 different fields were determined. Sesame oil content and protein content varied between 25.59 to 35.23% and 19.81 to 24.45%, respectively. Main components of seed fatty acids were found to be oleic acid (43.51 to 49.05%), linoleic acid(36.10 to 39.80%), palmitic acid (7.83 to 9.46%), stearic acid (5.40 to 6.09%) and arachidonic acid (0.31 to 0.57%). Branch number per plant (4.20 to 9.40), capsule number per plant (38.0 to 163.8), seed number per capsule (42.00-72.80), 1000 seed weight (2.76-3.96 g) and seed yield per plant (6.37 to 35.15 g) showed vast variation among populations in terms of morphological properties.

Key words: Sesamum indicum L., protein content, crude oil content, fatty acid composition.