Studies on Genetic Variability, Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Eighty two genotypes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were evaluated in Randomized Block Design during rainy season of 2006 at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur to assess the variability and character association. The mean sum of squares were significant for all the characters studied except oil content, indicating the presence of variability. Characters like seed yield, primary branches per plant, capsules per plant and capsule bearing height exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance revealing that these characters were controlled by additive gene action. Seed yield showed significant positive correlation with capsules per plant, oil content, test weight, capsule bearing height and primary branches per plant. The maximum positive direct effects on seed yield was observed by capsules per plant followed by test weight and plant height, while days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and capsule bearing height had negative effect. Thus, capsules per plant, test weight and plant height were the major components contributing to the seed yield in sesame.