Studies on combining ability studies in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Combining ability analysis in sesame through L x T design with 9 lines and five testers were evaluated for yield and yield contributing characters viz., days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, capsule length, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, oil content and seed yield per plant. Non additive gene action was predominant for all the traits studied. Combining ability analysis revealed that the following three parents viz., RT 125,0 VS 9701 and CO 1 were the best combiners for five traits including seed yield per plant. Considering both per se performance and gca effects the parents VS 9701, Ajit 131 and SVPR 1 were found to be best. Better segregants can be obtained from the hybrid combinations RT 125 x CO 1, VS 9701 x CO 1 and Uma x CO 1 for seed yield and yield contributing characters.