Combining ability analysis in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

An attempt was made to study the general and specific combining ability in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) through Linex Tester analysis by using five lines and nine testers. A total of forty five crosses were developed and ten quantitative traits were studied. Based on the general combining ability effects, the line TMV 5 was found to be a good general combiner for more number of traits like single plant yield, total number of capsules per plant, number of capsules on main stem, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches and days to first flowering. Among the testers, CO 1 exhibited good combining ability for single plant yield, 100 seed weight, plant height and number of secondary branches. The tester ORM 7 was also found to be a good general combiner for single plant yield, total number of capsules per plant, number of capsules in main stem and days to first flowering. The cross combination TMV 5 x ORM 7 had expressed the highly significant and positive sca effect for single plant yield, total number of capsules per plant and plant height but negative scaeffect for 100 seed weight. Also, the cross TMV 6 x VRI 1 was found to have significant and positivesca effects for more number of traits like single plant yield, 100 seed weight, total number of capsules per plant and number of primary branches and hence these crosses could be utilized for yield improvement through heterosis and pedigree breeding.