Assessment of Genetic Variability and Trait Correlations in Sesame Genotypes Using Morphological Characters

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) ranks among the oldest oilseed crops grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is prized for its high-quality edible oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. Sesame is a self-pollinating, annual plant in the Pedaliaceae family and exhibits substantial genetic variability in growth habit, yield, and seed traits. Its adaptability to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and its value to human nutrition make sesame an important component of sustainable agriculture and oilseed production. The current research took place in the summer of 2022 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Polasa, Jagtial, aimed at assessing genetic variability, heritability, genetic advancement as a percentage of mean, and character associations among 32 advanced sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) breeding lines along with controls, across three replications in a Randomized Block Design. The characteristics of plant height and the count of capsules per plant exhibited high heritability with a significant positive correlation to both plant height and capsule count, making these traits valuable for selection in developing new varieties with improved seed yield. Seed yield per plant displayed a significant positive correlation with both plant height and the number of capsules per plant.