Study on exploitation of heterosis for yield and yield contributing traitsin sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

The experiment was undertaken to study the magnitude of heterosis of 32 hybrids obtained by crossing 4 (female) x 8 (male) genotypes in L x T fashion including their 12 parents and 2 standard checks (JLT-408 and PRACHI). The ANOVA revealed significant differences among parents, hybrids and parents vs hybrids for most of the characters, indicating the presence of genetic variability. The crosses SWETHA x V-25, V-34 x TBS-12, V-32 x TBS-7, SWETHA x R-26 and SWETHA x TBS-12 showed high heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis over both checks for seed yield and yield contributing traits. Significant heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis observed for majority of yield and yield attributing traits.