This study assessed genetic variability, agronomic performance, and breeding potential of 51 sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes from the genebank of the Agricultural Research Corporation and three farmer-preferred varieties under irrigated conditions at the Kassala and Gash Station (Kalahoot Scheme) Farm during the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons. Analysis of variance, estimates of genotypic and phenotypic variance, coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability, and expected genetic advance were used to characterise genetic variability and selection potential. Combined-season plant height ranged from 69 to 153 cm, number of capsules per plant from 26 to 88, and seed yield from 125 to 853 kg ha⁻¹. H44 produced the highest combined seed yield, while H22 and H29 exhibited superior capsule production. High GCV, moderate-to-high heritability, and substantial genetic advance were observed for plant height, branching, capsule number, and seed yield, indicating considerable exploitable genetic variation and potential for selection. Significant genotype × season interactions for several traits, particularly seed yield, demonstrated differential responses to seasonal conditions, whereas 1000-seed weight was comparatively stable. H44, H57, H69, H32, H81, H36, H22, and H29 were identified as promising breeding materials based on agronomic performance and genetic potential. These genotypes provide valuable parental resources for future sesame improvement in Sudan, particularly for developing high-yielding cultivars adapted to variable irrigated environments. Multi-location and multi-year testing, followed by targeted selection for yield stability, adaptation, and synchronised maturity, is recommended to accelerate their utilisation in Sudanese breeding programmes.
Elawad Mohammad Sedig, M. M. Beshir, A. E. Idris et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations
Fifty-four sesame genotypes, comprising 51 genebank accessions and three farmer-preferred cultivars, were evaluated during the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons at the Kassala and Gash Research Station, Sudan, under surface irrigation using an augmented randomised complete block design. The study assessed phenotypic and genotypic correlations among nine agronomic, phenological, and yield-related traits and identified potential criteria for indirect selection. The traits evaluated were capsule length, number of capsules per plant, number of branches per plant, plant height, height to first capsule, days to 50% flowering, thousand-seed weight, days to maturity, and seed yield. Combined-season analysis revealed that number of capsules per plant had the strongest positive phenotypic (r= 0.745) and genotypic (r= 0.791) correlations with seed yield, followed by number of branches per plant (r= 0.632 and 0.696, respectively) and plant height (r= 0.433 and 0.421, respectively). Capsule length, days to 50% flowering, thousand-seed weight, and days to maturity showed positive associations with seed yield, whereas height to first capsule showed a weak negative association. Path coefficient analysis identified number of capsules per plant as the most important contributor to seed yield, with the largest positive direct effect (0.40) and a substantial total indirect effect (0.34). Number of branches per plant (0.22) and plant height (0.20) also exhibited positive direct effects, whereas height to first capsule and days to maturity showed negative direct effects. These findings indicate that number of capsules per plant and number of branches per plant are important yield-associated traits and promising indirect selection criteria for sesame improvement under Sudanese irrigated conditions. Further multi-environment testing is recommended to validate the stability of these relationships across major sesame-producing environments in Sudan.
Elawad Mohammad Sedig, M. M. Beshir, A. E. Idris et al.· Asian Journal of Research in...· 0 citations
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