Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis Studies in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes under Foothill Condition of Nagaland

Abstract

A total of 25 five genotypes of sesame were evaluated under foothill condition of Nagaland during kharif, 2017 using randomized block design with three replications at the experimental farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema. Studies have been conducted on twelve quantitative characters. The analysis of variance indicated the existence of significant variations among the genotypes for all the characters except for plant height, stem height from base to first branch and number of locules per capsule. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for seed yield per plant, while the highest phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for stem height from base to first branch. The genotypic coefficients of variation for all the characters studied were lesser than the phenotypic coefficient of variation expressing the effect of the environment variance. The highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for seed yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for number of capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, days to 50 per cent flowering and oil content indicating the influence of additive gene action, as such phenotypic selection would be effective for improvement of these traits. Correlation studies revealed that the character 1000 seed weight, number of locules per capsule and internodal length revealed positive association with seed yield. This indicated that simultaneous selection of all these characters was important for yield improvement. A critical analysis of the results by path analysis revealed that the traits positive direct effect on seed yield was contributed by internodal length, capsule length, oil content, seeds per capsule and number of capsules per plant. Hence, these characters were considered as important attributes in formulating selection criterion for achieving desired targets.