Genetic Variability and quantitative traits inheritance in Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.) Genotypes

Abstract

Growing of low yielding and poor quality genotypes is among the major constraints of sesame production in Ethiopia. Field experiment was  conducted to assess the extent of genetic variation and traits inheritance in sesame genotypes. A total of forty nine sesame genotypes were  evaluated using simple lattice design at Bako and Uke during 2018 cropping season. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant  differences (P<0.01) among the genotypes for all quantitative traits. Branches per plant, capsule per plant, biomass yield, harvest index, thousand  seed weight and bacterial blight severity showed medium Phenotypic and Genotypic Coefficient of Variations. Seed yield, biomass yield, capsule per  plant, bacterial blight severity and branches per plant showed moderately high heritability with high genetic advance as percent of mean. Thousand  seed weight showed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as percent of mean. Harvest index showed medium heritability and  genetic advance percent mean. Whereas, all the remaining traits showed medium heritability with low genetic advance as percent mean. Generally,  this study depicted the presence of significant genetic variation among tested sesame genotypes and the possibility to get genetic progresses in the  succeeding breeding generations.