FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, cilt.27, sa.12, ss.8456-8462, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
Micro elements are play important role in human body, but today, micronutrient malnutrition is estimated to affect over 3 billion people in the worldwide. Biofortification is one of the most applicable and sustainable intervention to fight malnutrition worldwide. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest and most important oil seed crops. A lot of sesame populations adapted to different environmental conditions in the world. These genotypes are valuable source of genetic variation including mineral elements for sesame breeders. In the present study, 22 sesame accession collected from Turkey and 8 different countries were assessed for 6 mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, K, and Mg) content of seeds. The results showed that significant diversity in sesame accessions for contents of Cu (17.16-38.34 mg kg(-1)), Mn (13.49-70.91 mg kg(-1)), Fe (97-298.5 mg kg(-1)), Zn (53.41-95.36 mg kg(-1)), K (5272-9204 mg kg(-1)) and Mg (3374-5846 mg kg(-1)). To develop a new biofortified varieties, plant breeders first characterize landraces. Identification of genetic variation is very important for improve biofortified crops.