Analysis of Genetic Variability for Yield and its Components in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

One hundred and twenty four F₄ families of sesame derived from straight and reciprocal crosses made between E-8 (commercial cultivar) and Tamil Nadu Local (land race) were evaluated during Kharif, 2010 to assess genetic variability, heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance for ten quantitative characters. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference among the F₄ families for days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, distance from ground to first capsule and number of seeds per capsule. High GCV and PCV were observed for branches per plant, capsules per plant and seed yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for plant height, branches per plant, capsules per plant, capsule length, distance from ground to first capsule, seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant.