Cause and Effect Variations and Trait Selection Index for Indigenous Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Genotypes

Fifteen indigenous sesame genotypes of diverse origin within Nigeria were evaluated for three years to provide insight to their growth and yield performance. Days to 50% flowering, number of capsules per plant, weight of capsule and number of seeds per capsule recorded significant differences in their respective performance across the three year study period. The genotypes performed differently with respect to all the traits except seed weight while genotype x year interaction was not significant for flowering date and seed weight only. Genotypic variance components were high for sesame number of capsules per plant and seed per capsule relative to other variance components. Simple linear correlation and determination coefficients were also high for these traits. Number of capsule per plant and seed per capsule contributed highest direct effect to seed yield of sesame. In improving indigenous sesame seed yield, there is reliability in selecting for number of capsule and seed per capsule as these traits recorded highest selection index using heritability and genetic advance parameters.