Assessment of genetic variability for seed germination per cent and seedling vigour traits in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted using 24 genotypes of sesame for analysis of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of among 7 seedling parameters. The present study revealed that the character seedling vigour index-I showed moderate GCV and PCV values indicating thereby good amount of variation in these characters. Higher magnitude of PCV as compared to GCV indicated the greater effect of environment on the expression of these characters. High heritability estimates in broad sense along with medium expected genetic advance over mean was observed for vigour index length indicating that this character would respond positively to selection. Moderate values of heritability along with low value of expected genetic advance were observed for the characters like shoot length and vigour index mass indicating that these characters were governed by non-additive component of variation, which is non-fixable so heterosis breeding can be fruitfully exploited for improving these characters. The genotypes differed significantly for all characters under study.