Genetic effects for yield in intra-specific cross in Sesamum indicum

Combining ability in seed yield, yield components and oil content were studied in a 8 lines x 4 testers cross of sesame. Additive genetic variance was of greater importance for plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, seed weight, oil content, leaf area index and chlorophyll content, while non-additive genetic variance played a major role for number of seeds per capsule, leaf area index and single plant yield. The parents Si 261 (L3), CO 1 (T1) and Sl 918 (L6) were the best general combiners and the hybrids Es-9-1-84 X Palyur 1 (L2 X T3) and Sl 261 x Co 1 (L3 x T1) emerged as the best specific combiner for seed yield and its components.