Line × tester analysis for seed yield, protein and oil content and SSR based diversity in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Abstract The present investigation was conducted in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to estimate heterosis, combining ability using line × tester mating design and genetic variability of parents through molecular markers. Five lines and seven testers were crossed to produce 35 F1 hybrids. The heterobeltiosis for seed yield per plant ranged from −39.76 to 68.28%, while the standard heterosis ranged from −61.82 to 1.57% over better check variety; G. Til 10. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that the mean squares due to lines × testers interaction showed significant for all characters. GJT-5 and G. Til-4 displayed high gca effects and good per se performance for seed yield per plant and should be utilized in multiple crossing programmes. The sca effect of the crosses indicated that eight hybrids manifested significant and positive sca effects for seed yield per plant. Among these, the best three specific combiners were Keriya-7 × G. Til-2, AT-319 × GJT-5 and ABT-33 × G. Til-1. A set of eleven polymorphic SSR primers could generate 36 alleles among 12 parents. The average number of allele per locus was 3.27 with a range of 2–4. Neighbour- Joining (NJ) clustering grouped 12 genotypes into three main clusters A, B and C with 4, 6 and 2 genotypes, respectively. The highest genetic distance (0.86) was observed between AKT 64 and G. Til-4 genotypes while it was lowest (0.23) between Keriya-7 and NIC-17274.