Abstract

                                Path analysis of seed yield was done in two sesame Sesamum indicum L.) varieties, JLT 26 and JLT 27 grown separately in acid soil (pH 4.0-5.5) under high rainfall mid altitude (1,000 m msl, 26°N and 92°E) conditions during the rainy (kharif) season of 1988. Seed yield was positively and significantly correlated with plant height, number of leaves, primary branches, length of main branch, number of capsules on main branch, number of capsules per plant, capsule length and seeds per capsule in both the varieties. Partitioning of total correlation coefficient of these characters with seed yield into the components of direct and indirect effects revealed that number of capsules per plant followed by seeds per capsule were the only two characters which contributed to seed yield directly. The direct contribution of rest of the traits was considerably low. However, their indirect contribution to seed yield through the number of capsules per plant was substantial. It is thus suggested that number of capsules per plant and seeds per capsule could be taken as indices while improving seed through selection..

Key words : Yield Components, Correlation Coefficients, Path Analysis