Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield, Yield Attributing and Oil Content Traits in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Germplasm
Keny Solanki
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Pacific Academy of Higher Education and Research University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
S. R. Maloo
Faculty of Agri. Sciences, Pacific Academy of Higher Education and Research University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Radheshyam Sharma
Biotechnology Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Shailendra Sagar Prajapati *
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study assessed character association and the direct and indirect effects of yield-attributing traits on seed yield in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) germplasm. Fifty-one sesame genotypes, including three standard checks, were evaluated during the kharif season of 2024 using a randomised block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for twelve quantitative traits, comprising days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, cluster length, number of seeds per cluster, test seed weight, biological yield per plant, harvest index, seed yield per plant, and oil content. Correlation analysis showed that seed yield per plant was positively associated with harvest index, biological yield per plant, number of clusters per plant, plant height, test seed weight, and number of seeds per cluster. Days to 50% flowering and days to maturity showed negative associations with several yield-related traits, indicating the possible usefulness of early-flowering and early-maturing genotypes under the studied conditions. Path coefficient analysis revealed that harvest index had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield, followed by biological yield per plant, days to maturity, number of clusters per plant, test seed weight, and plant height. The findings indicate that harvest index, biological yield per plant, number of clusters per plant, plant height, and test seed weight may be useful selection criteria for improving seed yield in sesame breeding programmes.
Keywords: Sesamum indicum L., sesame germplasm, seed yield, correlation analysis, path coefficient analysis, harvest index, biological yield, test seed weight, yield-attributing traits, oil content, selection criteria