Ghulam Sarwar, MA Haq, Akbar Ali Cheema and MB Chaudhary
Keywords: Induced polygenic variation, Sesamum indicum L, selection.
Abstract: In this study, ninety four single plants selected from M2 generation were evaluated during summer 2006 in M3 generation. Single plant data pertaining to different morphological traits viz. plant height, number of branches, capsule per plant, capsule length, capsule breadth, seeds per capsule and seed yield were recorded and analyzed for genetic parameters, correlation coefficients and path coefficient. Number of branches and capsule per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with seed yield. Capsule length exhibited maximum direct positive effect (0.8791) followed by capsule/plant (0.755) and plant height. Except capsule length other two attributes showing positive direct effects also exhibited highly significant and positive genotypic correlation which indicated that these characters may be selected directly for the improvement of seed yield. Highest heritability in broad sense was estimated in case of capsule length (74.5%) followed by plant height (63%), capsule breadth (60.8%) number of branches (51.9%) and seed per capsule (50.3%). Seed yield indicated the highest value of genetic advance (41.72%) followed by number of branches (34.32%), capsule length 17.84%) and capsule breadth (17.77%). High heritability in case of capsule length, number of branches, capsule length and capsule breadth combined with corresponding higher values of genetic advance indicated that these characters are controlled by additive type of genes and may be selected directly for seed yield improvement. From these results, it may be concluded that for making selection directly in this type of population, the main emphasis should be placed on plant height, number of capsule and to some extent number of branches. Secondarily to a minor extent capsule length may be considered alongwith seed yield and other yield components.
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