Assessment of genetic variability, character association and path analysis in F2 population of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the F2 population of the cross OMT 21 A × JLSC 96 of sesame with the objective to assess the genetic variability, character association of yield and yield related traits in sesame. Experimental materials were raised during Kharif season of 2019 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Seven biometrical traits viz., days to first flowering, plant height, the number of branches per plant, the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight and yield per plant were recorded. The magnitude of PCV and GCV values were higher for the traits yield per plant, the number of branches per plant and the number of capsules per plant. The traits number of branches per plant and 1000 seed weight exhibited a high heritability along with a high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Yield per plant had a significant positive correlation with the number of capsules per plant followed by 1000 seed weight, plant height and the number of branches per plant. Path analysis revealed that the number of capsules per plant had a high positive direct effect on yield per plant. So, the selection based on these traits such as number of capsules per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight and the number of branches per plant would be advantageous for crop improvement.

Keywords

• sesame
• genetic variability
• correlation
• path analysis
• yield and its related traits