Studies of Genetic Variability in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Collections for Morpho-Agronomic Traits at Werer, Ethiopia

Knowledge of genetic variability is necessary to develop a suitable breeding method for crop improvement. Thus, further information on the existence of variability in sesame accessions is needed to set appropriate breeding strategies and improve sesame in terms of yield and desired quality traits. Based on this concern, this research was conducted to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability, and genetic advance among sesame accessions. A total of sixty-four sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Accessions were evaluated in an 8*8 lattice design with two replications in 2021 at the Werer Agricultural Research Center. The results of the analysis of variance showed that, except for the 50% days to emergence and the number of seeds per pod, there were statistically significant differences between the accessions for all traits. A relatively high (>20%) phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was estimated for the number of pods per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, seed yield, and biomass yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) was recorded for thousand seed weight, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, biomass yield, and seed yield. The information and genetic variability obtained in the present study could be used to plant appropriate breeding procedures and develop genotypes with high productivity in future sesame improvement programs.