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Early Access

Principal component and cluster analysis of yield and its contributing traits in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11556
Submitted
31 August 2025
Published
05-11-2025
Versions

Abstract

Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) is an important oilseed crop valued for its high-quality oil and adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions. The present study assessed genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, path analysis, genetic divergence and principal component analysis for 14 yield contributing traits across 28 sesame genotypes. The genotypes were evaluated over two years using a randomised complete block design. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among genotypes for all traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed for seed yield per plant and number of capsules per plant. Traits such as seed yield per plant, oil content, harvest index, number of capsules per plant and days to 75 % maturity exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance, suggesting predominant additive gene action. Genotypic correlation analysis indicated significant positive associations of seed yield per plant with stem height of the first capsule, plant height, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, capsule length and harvest index. Path analysis identified plant height, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, oil content and 1000-seed weight as key traits with the highest direct effects on seed yield. Mahalanobis D² analysis grouped genotypes into seven distinct clusters, with the highest inter-cluster distance observed between Clusters IV and V, indicating substantial genetic divergence between these groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed six components accounting for 77.76 % of the total variation, with PC1 driven primarily by seed yield per plant and number of capsules per plant. Diverse genotypes such as IC-203945, NIC-1005 and PRACHI were identified as promising parents for hybridisation programs aimed at generating transgressive segregants.

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