Correlation and Path Analysis Studies in Local Germplasm of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Sesame is the oilseed crop known as the ‘Poor Man’s Ghee’ due to its higher nutritive value. In present investigation thirty-six local germplasm of sesame were evaluated for ten quantitative characters. The field trial was carried out at Botany Section Farm, College of Agriculture, Dhule during 2023, summer using RBD design with two replications. Ten characters were recorded viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height at maturity, number of primary branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, oil content, protein content and seed yield per plant. At both genotypic and phenotypic level 1000 seed weight, number of capsules per plant, number of branches per plant, plant height at maturity and number of seeds per capsule showed positive significant correlation with seed yield per plant. While protein content exhibited negative non-significant correlation with seed yield at both genotypic and phenotypic level. In path analysis number of capsules per plant, 1000 seed weight, number of seeds per capsule showed high positive direct effect on seed yield. Indirect effect of number of capsules on seed yield via, number of primary branches and 1000 seed weight is high and positive.