55 F1s from a half-diallel set were evaluated alongwith 11 parents. Multivariate analysis of divergence led to grouping of 11 parents into six clusters. No relationship between geographic origin and genetic diversity was observed. Seed oil content contributed maximum (67.6%) towards total divergence. Heterosis in seed yield was very much associated with heterosis in capsules/plant and branches/plant. The range of relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis for seed yield were -36.8% to 83.5% and -42.5% to 66.0%, respectively. It appeared that heterosis is not a function of genetic divergence.
Sesame, genetic divergence, heterosis, multivariate analysis
