GENETIC VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION STUDIES IN SESAME (Sesamum indicum L.) GERMPLASM
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop with significant nutritional and commercial value. The present study was conducted to assess genetic variability, character association, and direct and indirect effects of yield-contributing traits in sesame germplasm. Twenty-seven sesame genotypes, including four checks (Unnat Rama, RT-372, CUMS-09A, and GT-11), were evaluated in a randomized block design during the Kharif season (2025) at Crop Research Centre-1, ITM University, Sithouli Campus, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Ten quantitative traits were recorded including Days to 50% Flowering (DFF), Days to Maturity (DM), Number of Primary Branches (NPB), Plant Height (PH), Number of Capsules Per Plant (NCP), Length of Capsule (LOC), Width of Capsule (WOC), Number of Seeds per Capsule (NSC), 1000 Seed Weight (1000SW), and Seed Yield Per Plant (SYP). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among treatments for most traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Genetic parameters showed high heritability and genetic advance for NPB (h²=79.5%, GAI=25.86%), PH (h²=79.48%, GAI=10.42%), and NCP (h²=79.9%, GAI=28.69%), suggesting their suitability for selection. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive associations between SYP and DM (r=0.367**), NSC (r=0.714**), and 1000SW (r=0.409**). Path coefficient analysis revealed that NSC had the highest direct effect (0.5728**) on seed yield, followed by 1000SW (0.1710*), and DM (0.2067**), indicating these traits are crucial for improving yield in sesame. These findings provide valuable information for sesame breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding cultivars.
Source: PLANT ARCHIVES
Institution: ITM University
Language: English
Topic: Sesame and Sesamin Research
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204199873