Study of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes

Abstract

The investigation was carried out to access the analysis of variance, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance with 30 genotypes including a check namely Krishna. The genotypes were grown in randomised block design with three replications during Kharif 2018 at research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant variation among the genotypes for all the characters. The variability study indicated high to moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation accompanied by high heritability and high to moderate genetic advance as per cent of mean for traits like plant height(cm), days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of productive branches/plant, height of 1st capsule(cm), number of productive capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, biological yield per plant, harvest index(%), 1000 seed weight(g), stearic acid(%), linolenic acid(%), linoleic acid(%), oleic acid(%), palmitic acid(%), oil content (%),oil yield per plant(g) and seed yield per plant(g). This study indicates preponderance of additive gene effect, which will help to make selection in early segregating generation. The genetic advance as per cent mean suggesting still there is scope for further improvement of genotypes for these characters. Therefore, these characters can be considered as a criterion for improving seed yield in breeding programs of sesame.