Abstract

                                To assess the information on genotypic and phenotypic correlations of five quantita tive characters viz.. (1) plant height, (2) height at which first capsule formed. (3) total number of capsules par plant. (4) number of primary branches and (5) number of secondary branches towards grain yield in sesamum, investigations were carried out on 30 sesamum varieties during summer 1976 and monsoon 1976 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Farm, Coimbatore. It was found that significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation existed between grain yield and total number of capsules per plant, number of primary branches per plant and number of secondary branches par plant during summer 1976. During monsoon 1976 grain yield had significan: positive genotypic correlation with all the five characters under study. With respect to phenotypic correlations during monsoon 1976 plant yield had significant positive correlation with all the characters except height at which first capsule is formed. Path analysis revealed that in summer 1976. primary branches per plant had the highest direct effect; during monsoon 1976 boight at which first capsule formed had the highest direct effect. The above results indicated Genotype x Environment interaction.

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