Designing model plant architecture through assessment of qualitative and quantitative traits in sesame (Sesamum indicumL.)

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to characterize sesame germplasmto generate information on different traits carried by each accessionand to identify novel morphotypes with morphological descriptors desirable for designing model plant architecture.A total of ninety germplasm lines were raised in a randomized block design with three replications and characterized for ninequalitative and thirteen quantitative morphological descriptors.A great variation was observed among sesame germplasm lines for 19 morphologic and agronomic traits while three characters were found to be monomorphic as the plants with indeterminate growth habit, white flower colourand shattering nature. The mean of different qualitative morphotypes for yield and its attributing traits suggested that branched plants forming opposite leaf arrangement and having hairy and tetra carpellated multi capsules per leaf axil with seeds of white colour would be desiredmodel plant architecture in sesame. Similarly, morphological framework of accessions giving the highest and lowest yield as well as pattern of seed yield with high and low level of expression of yield components indicated that higher seed yield per plant, capsules per plant, oil content, harvest index, primary branches per plant and early maturity were desired in model plant. Also noted that, increase in harvest index to the extent of 50 per cent is possible and yield can be increased by improving source-sink balance.These results have an important implication for sesame germplasm characterization and designing model plant architecture.

Keywords

• Characterization
• germplasm
• sesame breeding
• plant types
• morphological traits
• seed yield