Combining ability and gene action over environments in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Five lines and ten testers were crossed in line x tester manner to develop 50 F 1 hybrids. ANOVA showed significant differences among the environments and genotypes for all characters. gca exhibited greater stability than sca for all the characters. σ 2 gca/ σ 2 sca ratio revealed preponderance of additive gene action for seed yield per plant, capsules per plant, capsule length and 1000-seed weight. While, preponderance of non-additive gene action was recorded for the rest, suggesting in general, the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action for inheritance of component traits. The parent G.Til-3 was found to be good combiner for all the traits except earliness characters where Phule Til 1 manifested good gca. G.Til-2 exhibited poor general combining ability for almost all the characters. Among male parents JLS-116, AKT-101, JLS-9707-2 and JLS-110-12 were good general combiners for seed yield per plant as well as most of the yield components. The crosses G.Til-3 x AKT-64, Phule Til No.1 x JLS-116 and Patan-64 x AKT-101 manifested significant, higher and desirable sca effects for seed yield per plant as well as important yield components.