Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Dhandapani M, Thiyagu K, Geethanjali S, Subrahmaniyan K, Shanmugam A, Salini AP and Nelson Navamaniraj K

Abstract:
The component traits for rice fallow responsiveness of sesame crop was identified viz., germination percentage, crop establishment rate, low input responses, crop canopy coverage to smother weeds growth, growth and development under low moisture conditions (plant height, number of branches), and seed yield. Totally 96 genotypes were screened under rice fallow conditions without input applications and under zero tillage conditions with limited irrigations. PCV and GCV levels had very close relationship and higher Heritability was observed for the traits like number of capsules, seeds per capsules, 1000 seed weight and seed yield in sesame under rice fallow. Yield responses under rice fallow were very narrow, only few varieties responded to rice fallow conditions indicating stringent intrinsic factors for adaptations. Based on seed yield and cluster analysis, the variety, Thirukkattupalli local, showed better performance under rice fallow conditions without any input applications viz., with single plant yield of 8.2 g of seeds with normal growth and maturity and distinctively fallen into separate group among four clusters. In Cluster1, the following entries showed close relationship with moderate response to rice fallow adaptations viz., Thinnyam local Sengaraiyur local, Ariyur local, Semparai local, Mettukudi local, Anbil local which were collected from Lalgudi blocks of Tiruchirappalli dt. Among 95 genotypes evaluated, Thirukkattupalli local alone had maximum crop stand percentage. Hence, Thirukkattupalli local can be utilized in breeding programs as donor of component traits for development of rice fallow responsive sesame varieties.