Determination of genetic divergence based on morphological traits in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Genetically diverse germplasm is an important source for identification of parental lines having desired traits like high oil content, high seed yield and disease resistance in sesame. In the present study, 90 genotypes have been selected for genetic diversity analysis using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Data on five quantitative traits namely, plant height (cm), days to 50 per cent flowering, number of capsules plant-1, single plant yield(g) and oil content (%) have been analysed for clustering using Tocher’s method. A total of nine clusters were obtained. Of these clusters, cluster IX and V showed highest inter cluster distance indicating that they are the most diverse cluster whereas clusters VIII and II were the least diverse as indicated by the inter cluster distance. Cluster means were highest in cluster IX for number of capsules per plant and single plant yield while it was highest in cluster III for oil content and days to 50 per cent flowering. Based on cluster mean values for desirable traits, genetically diverse genotypes can be used in hybridization programme for oil and yield improvement in sesame.