Trait Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield Traits in Myanmar Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Germplasm

The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during the dry season, 2014 at Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar to determine the extent of genetic variability for important yield attributes and to determine interrelationship among the traits and their direct and indirect effects on yield of forty Myanmar sesame germplasm. All genotypes were phenotyped for ten agronomic traits. All basic statistical parameters and phenotypic correlation were generated using STAR v2.0.1 and PBTools v1.4. Genotypic correlation and path analysis between yield and yield components were evaluated by SPAR 2.0 and R software package. Wide variations were observed for all traits studied in all germplasm. Primary branches, capsules and seed yield per plant showed high genotypic and phenotypic variances, PCV and GCV estimates that are enough scope for selection. Progeny selection will be effective to improve plant height and number of capsules per plant indicating high heritability with high genetic advance. In both genotypic and phenotypic correlation analysis, main seed yield contributing traits in sesame production were days to first and 50% flowering, plant height, primary branches, capsules per plant and capsule length. According to path analysis, positive direct effect on seed yield was contributed by days to first flowering followed by 1000 seed weight, capsules per plant, no. of primary branches per plant and capsule length. Therefore, days to first flowering, 1000 seed weight, capsules per plant, primary branches and capsule length may be good selection criteria for further sesame breeding programs related to high yielding varieties.