Studies on general and specific combining ability in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A Line X Tester analysis in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) was carried out with seven lines and four testers to estimate the combining ability effects, nature of gene action and heterosis for eight characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, capsule length, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant. Based on the general combining ability effects, IVTS 7 among lines and TMV 6 among testers were found to be good general combiners for seed yield per plant. The cross combination IVTS 7 X TMV 6 exhibited the maximum positive and significant sca for seed yield per plant and hence recommended for heterosis breeding, whereas the hybrid IVTS-13 X TMV 6 exhibited high test weight and hence it is recommended for breeding bold seeded type. Similarly the hybrid IVTS 8 X TMV 3 recorded desirable sca for earliness.