Genetic Diversity Studies in Local Germplasm of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to determine the type and degree of genetic diversity between traits that contribute to seed yield. Using a Randomized Block Design with two replications, 36 sesame genotypes were assessed for 10 distinct features at the Botany section farm, College of Agriculture, Dhule, in the summer of 2023. The genotypes were divided into fourteen clusters based on the D2 value.  In addition to providing options for achieving a high heterotic effect and upgrading the base population, inter-crossing between them would also restore suitable transgressive segregants and a wide range of diversity in succeeding generations. The study found that local germplasm viz., JLS-1414-21-2 for number of primary branches per plant, number of seeds per capsule, oil content (%), and seed yield, and TS-14 for plant height, number of primary branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, and seed yield per plant found superior and can be used for further breeding methodologies. Genotypes JLT-408 and AVTS-2001 were shown to be superior for protein content, DS-10 for earliness, TKG-22 for oil content, TS-16 for earliness, and DLS-12 for plant height, number of capsules per plant, and 1000 seed weight.