The Mediterranean sesame core collection contains agro-morphologically superior sesame accessions from geographically diverse regions in four continents. In the present investigation, the genetic diversity and population structure of this collection was analyzed with 5292 high-quality SNPs discovered by double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing, a cost-effective and flexible next-generation sequencing method. The genetic distance between pairs of accessions varied from 0.023 to 0.524. The gene diversity was higher in accessions from Asia than from America, Africa, and Europe. The highest genetic differentiation was observed between accessions collected from America and Europe. Structure analysis showed the presence of three subpopulations among the sesame accessions, and only six accessions were placed in an admixture group. Phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analysis clustered the accessions based on their countries of origin. However, no clear division was evident among the sesame accessions with regard to their continental locations. This result was supported by an AMOVA analysis, which revealed a genetic variation among continental groups of 5.53% of the total variation. The large number of SNPs clearly indicated that the Mediterranean sesame core collection is a highly diverse genetic resource. The collection can be exploited by breeders to select appropriate accessions that will provide high genetic gain in sesame improvement programs. The high-quality SNP data generated here should also be used in genome-wide association studies to explore qualitative trait loci and SNPs related to economically and agronomically important traits in sesame.

The exploitation of exotic germplasm resources in breeding programs is necessary to enhance the diversity of cultivars. The diversity and relationships in a worldwide collection of sesame {Sesamum indicum L.) germplasm were determined in this study. A total of 345 accessions were assessed in relation to 12 qualitative and nine quantitative traits during two growing seasons. The accessions were grouped on the basis of their geographical patterns and morphological and agronomic characteristics. Specific accessions having high seed yield and number of branches and capsules, early maturity, yellow and brown seed color, purple stem and capsule color, hairiness, nonshattering capsules, and determinate growth habit were identified. Multivariate analysis revealed that genetic variation in the entire collection was mainly evident in days to maturity, stem length to the first capsule, plant height, and number of branches. Cluster analysis showed that the germplasm collection was representative of the geographical distribution of sesame. A core collection was developed, providing an indispensable resource for DNA and fatty acid composition studies based on analyses of fewer accessions than the entire collection. Comparison of the core and entire collections based on the qualitative and quantitative descriptors indicated that the core collection was optimal and appropriately represented the entire collection.

A high amount of good‐quality vegetable oil in seeds has an overwhelming contribution to the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivation throughout the world. In order to take into account great variation in oil characteristics in Arachis subspecies and botanical varieties, 256 groundnut genotypes including ICRISAT's mini core collection were investigated. Significant variability in oil content (31.7–57.0%) was detected among groundnut genotypes. Oil yield varied from 9.5 to 179.3 kg da−1 with the average being 67.7 kg da−1. Significant genotypic differences were also observed for all the fatty acids studied. Oleic and linoleic acids accounted for the major fraction with mean values of 45.3 and 32.1% in the ranges of 35.3–60.9% and 16.1–43.6%, respectively. Significant negative correlation was observed between oleic and linoleic acid. In the present investigation, desirable values were obtained for oil traits which would be useful to develop nutritional and health‐beneficial cultivars.

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