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

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a drought-tolerant, flowering plant known for its small, nutrient-rich seeds, which are used in culinary, medicinal and oil production across various cultures. It is one of the oldest cultivated crops, valued for its rich flavor, high oil content and health benefits. In the summer of 2024, forty genotypes of sesame were cultivated in a randomized block design with two replications at the Agriculture Research Station, Dhule, College of Agriculture, Dhule. Observations were recorded for several traits, including the number of days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height at maturity (cm), number of primary branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, 1000-seed weight (g), oil percentage, protein percentage, and seed yield per plant (g). Correlation analysis showed a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between seed yield per plant and the number of capsules per plant. This was followed by positive associations with protein content, plant height at maturity, and 1000-seed weight at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Furthermore, path coefficient analysis indicated that days to maturity and protein content had the most substantial positive direct effects on seed yield at both levels.