Genetic Analysis and Combining Ability for Yield and its Component Traits in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), known as the "Queen of Oilseeds," is an ancient oilseed crop of significant economic importance in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its rich genetic diversity and nutritional value, its yield potential remains underexploited in India. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic architecture and combining ability of yield and its attributes using a diallel mating design involving six genetically diverse sesame genotypes. Thirty-six crosses, including reciprocals, were generated during Kharif 2024 and evaluated during summer 2025 at ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad. Significant genetic variability was observed for agronomic and yield-attributing traits, with hybrids outperforming parents in several traits, indicating the presence of heterosis and non-additive gene action. General combining ability (GCA) analysis revealed that TBS-6 and TTT-1 were superior combiners for traits like seed yield per plant, seed weight/capsule, Test weight and oil content. Specific combining ability (SCA) analysis identified TBS-6 x TTT-1, TBS-6 x Longkong-1, as promising hybrid combinations for improving yield; Lawkuti x Longkong-1, GT-10 x TBS-11, Longkong x TBS-6, as promising hybrid combinations for oil content, whereas GT-10 x TTT-1, as promising hybrid combinations for both improving yield and oil content. The study emphasises the utility of combining ability analysis for identifying genetically superior parents and hybrids, thereby facilitating targeted breeding strategies to enhance sesame productivity and seed quality under diverse agro-climatic conditions.