DIALLEL ANALYSIS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF GENETIC PARAMETERS IN SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM L.)

Various genetic parameter were estimated in sesame involving seven parents and their 21 hybrids. Plant height and number of branches showed additive gene action. Increasing alleles wee in excess for number of capsules on branches. Non-additive gene action was involved in the expression of characters viz., number of capsules on branches, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant. Over dominance was observed for number of branches, number of capsules on main stem, number of capsules on branches, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield per plant. Similarly these traits showed asymmetrical distribution of positive and negative alleles. High estimates were observed for plant height, number of branches per plant indicating the possibility of fixing these traits through pedigree breeding.