Sesame germplasm evaluation for reproductive period and harvest index

Abstract

In sesame, reproductive period is a component of crop maturity and harvest index is a component of seed yield. Both are important traits in applied plant breeding and associated with seed filling process, which helps optimizing crop duration and maximizing sesame yield. The study was focused on genetic control of these traits and to identify potential genotypes to use as parents in breeding programme. Seventy sesame germplasm lines were evaluated in randomized block design replicated thrice. Great variability for reproductive period and harvest index was observed. High heritability accompanied by high genetic gain for reproductive period, harvest index, biological yield and seed yield. Reproductive period was associated positively with days to maturity. Harvest index was associated positively with seed yield and biological yield but negatively with days to maturity. These circumstances suggest that increasing seed yield in sesame is possible through breeding for reproductive period and harvest index. However, performance data of selected genotypes demonstrate that it is wise to select for yield in conjunction with high biological yield and greater proportion of photosynthate partitioning together with optimum length of reproductive period. Use of present genetic variation like MARGO-TALL in manipulating both reproductive period and harvest index may be beneficial in sesame breeding programme.