Morphological and Quantitative Traits Based Genetic Diversity Analysis of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes Released in India

Aims: Sesame is an important high-value oilseed crop. India is very rich in the wild and cultivated sesame, offers a rich load of genetic variability for breeding. Recognizing and utilizing this genetic diversity holds significant importance in devising efficient breeding programs aimed at enhancing the yield potential of various genotypes. Study Design: The experimental design adopted was Randomized Complete Block design with two replications. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted in the Summer 2021 at the Research Farm, Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Narkhoda, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Methodology: In this study, 70 released sesame varieties of India were characterized for 12 morphological and 14 quantitative characters and subjected it to genetic divergence (UPGMA hierarchial clustering) analysis. Results: From divergence analysis for morphological characters, these cultivars were grouped into seven clusters at the genetic distance of 10 using Ward’s minimum variance method and Gower’s method of genetic distance. Selection of the genotypes present in different clusters having more genetic distance, preferably belonging to different geographical origin may result in more heterotic effects in the hybridization programme. Good recombinants can be obtained by mating between clusters I and VII for genotypes viz., Vinayak, RT-103, CUMS-17, TKG-308 with JLT-7, Amrit, Phule Til-1, YLM-11 for morphological characters, as they have maximum genetic distance between them. From the divergence analysis for quantitative characters, 70 cultivars were grouped into 7 clusters based on divergence analysis at the genetic distance of 10 using Ward’s minimum variance method and Euclidean method of genetic distance. Good recombinants can be obtained on mating between the clusters I and VII for lines viz., Amrit, TKG-308, JTS-8, HT-1, Phule Til-1 with Vinayak, CUMS-17, JLT-7, YLM-11 for quantitative characters, as they have maximum genetic distance between them. Most of the characters recorded high mean values in cluster VII for quantitative characters. Hence, for breeding of these traits, the genotypes present in cluster VII can be selected as parents. Conclusion: Based on both morphological and quantitative characters, the following superior and complementary genotype pairs: Vinayak and CUMS-17 with Amrit and Phule Til-1 respectively could be served as parents in the breeding program.