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Genetic variation in sesame genotypes (Sesamum indicum L.) grown in the semi-arid zone of the Sudan.

2015; Volume: 47; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

2224-8978

Salih A. I. Sabiel, M. I. Ismail, Elgailani A. Abdalla, Abdelrahman Osman,

Agricultural Science and Fertilization

Sesame is an important oilseed and cash crop production in Sudan. The objective of this study was to estimate the extent of genetic variability in genotypes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under rainfed conditions in semi-arid zones. Twelve genotypes of sesame were grown at El Fasher Research Station Farm for 3 consecutive seasons (2006, 2007 and 2008). Genotypic and phenotypic variability, genetic advance and heritability in a broad sense were estimated in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for seed yield kg/ha while days to flowering showed high heritability estimate (above 85%) during these seasons. Moreover, the high genetic advance was recorded in 1000-seed weight while all other traits showed low genetic advance. Highly significant differences among genotypes were observed in days to flowering, plant height and 1000-seed weight. Significant differences in seed yield (kg/ha) and biomass yield (kg/ha) and nonsignificant difference in days to maturity were observed. The high yielding genotypes were Ang5 (4 locules with black seeds) and Hirehri with seed yields of 365 and 347 kg/ha, respectively. Seed yield (kg/ha) was highly significant and positively correlated with biomass (yield kg/ha) (r = 0.81), 1000seed weight (r = 0.57) and plant height (r = 0.50). However, it was highly significant and negatively correlated with days to flowering (r = -0.22). Therefore, the characters biomass yield kg/ha, 1000-seed weight and plant height were the most contributing characters on sesame seed yield. The promising genotype identified in this study could provide valuable sources of tolerance to climate-change-related stresses and for other consequent breeding activities in sesame crop improvement.