Heterosis and its relation with combining ability in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) for quantitative traits

The eight diverse genotypes were crossed in 8 x 8 half diallel mating system. The resulting 28 crosses along with their parents were evaluated to study heterosis and sca effects for yield and its components. The study revealed that the heterosis in seed yield was influenced by high heterotic manifestation in number of branches per plant, number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and seed weight. As regards earliness, plant height, length of capsule and oil content the extent of heterosis was moderately high. The ranking of crosses on the basis of heterosis and sca effects were not similar. There was faire agreement between heterosis and sca effects. The cross combination JLS-116 x JLT-9707-2 for seed yield and capsules per plant, JLT-408 x VS- 07-23 for earliness and seed weight, JLT-408 x JLT-9707-2 for number of seeds per capsule and JLS-120 x VRI(sv)2 for length of capsule manifested desirable heterosis and high sca effects. These crosses could be exploited in subsequent generations to isolate desirable segregates.