Generation mean analysis for quantitative traits in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) crosses

To study the nature and magnitude of gene effects for yield and its components in sesame (Sesamum indicurn L.) we carried out generation mean analysis using the following four crosses of different sesame cultivars: VS 9510 x Col; NIC 7907 x TMV 3; Cianno 13/10x VRI 1; and Si 1115/1 x TMV3. The P-1, P-2, F-1, F-2, BC, and BC2 of these generations were studied for seven quantitative traits. The analysis showed the presence of additive, dominance and epistatic gene interactions. The additive dominance model was adequate for plant height in the NIC 7907 x TMV3 and Si 1115/1 x TMV 3 crosses and for capsule length in the VS 9510 x Col, NIC 7907 x TMV 3 and Si 1115/1 x TMV 3 crosses. An epistatic digenic model was assumed for the remaining crosses. Duplicate-type epistasis played a greater role than complementary epistasis. The study revealed the importance of both additive and non-additive types of gene action for all the traits studied.