Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati517502
In a set of 9 x 9 diallel set of crosses in sesame, additive gene action for harvest index (HI), both additive and non-additive gene action for leaf area index (LAI) and non-additive gene action for seed yield per plant were evident. Heritability estimates which were high for LAI and HI, however, were moderate for seed yield. R 84-4-2 x VS 16 showed significant and positive specific combining ability for both LAI and HI and recorded the seed yield heterosis of 71 and 50% over mid parent (MP) and better parent (BP), respectively.
