Assessment of genetic divergence in sesamum based on morpho-economic characters

A set of sesame genotypes including popular ruling varieties was characterized for genetic diversity based on 14 agro-economic traits including seed yield. The test genotypes were separated into five clusters. Principal component (PC) analysis revealed that first two PC axes explained 85.8% of the total multivariate variation. Number of capsules/plant contributed maximum to genetic divergence followed by number of seeds/capsule, 500-seed weight and seed yield/plant. Cluster V revealed comparatively dwarf plant type while Cluster II and Cluster IV were shown to have tall stature. Besides, genotypes under Cluster V had shown capsule bearing from lower height indicating possibility of more scope for increased number of capsules/plant. Cluster II bore longer and bold capsule resulting highest number of seeds/capsule (87.80) coupled with increased 500-seed weight (1.43gm). Pratap formed a mono-genotypic cluster (Cluster II) and it was highly divergent from B 67, TC 25, RT 103, TMV 5 and E 8; while, E 8 exhibited tremendously high genetic distance from RT 103 followed by TC 25, Pratap and T 13. Thus, parental combination of either Pratap or E 8 with above genotypes may result heterotic performance and reveal wide array of transgressive segregants in segregating populations following recombination breeding.