DefinePK

Abstract

The production and productivity of sesame face significant challenges due to the absence of high-yielding and regionally adapted cultivars, susceptibility to capsule shattering and inadequate seed retention, and exposure to biotic and abiotic stressors. The lack of modern production techniques and insufficient pre- and post-harvest technologies further contribute to these limitations. As a result, existing and future sesame genetic improvement efforts should incorporate features that increase yield and quality, are adapted to the local environment, are machine-harvestable, and have other industrially crucial food and feed properties for various utilities. This can be accomplished by combining traditional breeding techniques with genetic and genomic tools like mutant breeding and breeding assisted by genomics. In this essay, we will examine the research that has been done on sustainable sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) production, as well as the production challenges and prospects for sesame in Myanmar. An essential crop for nutrition and the economy, sesame is treasured for its oil. With greater health consciousness, the demand for sesame on the global market is expanding. Meanwhile, the market for international trade among the producing nations is very competitive. To overcome these obstacles and identify the crucial limiting variables, an integrated strategy is required for sesame production. The integration of these genomic resources will make it possible to boost sesame production through crop protection and production methods, postharvest procedures, crop improvement initiatives, and capacity building. Since improved seed yield, variety release, and deployment with relevant agronomic qualities, as well as oil content and fatty acid compositions, are all important aspects of sesame breeding, it is important to describe these developments in this review. The paper highlights the economic importance of sesame, its production situation, its main production limits, traditional breeding techniques, genomics-assisted breeding, and how these can all be combined to speed up breeding and create cultivars with desirable features for the market.