12 www. jinagri.com Subashini et al., 2015 J. Inno. Agri., 2(3):12-14, 2015 ISSN 2394-5389 Character association analysis in sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) Subashini, G.*, K.Baghyalakshmi, Suvarna Rani CH, and R.Vinoth Department of Rice, Centre Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore -641003, Tamil Nadu, India. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: subapbg2009@gmail.com Received: July 19, 2015 Accepted: August 21, 2015 Published: September 27, 2015 ABSTRACT A line x tester analysis was carried out with seven lines and five testers of sesame genotypes in respect of ten quantitative traits for association study to assess the relationship among yield and its components for selection criteria Observations were recorded on ten traits viz days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules on main stem, number of capsules on branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, oil content and single plant yield. Character association analysis revealed an intensive selection in the positive side for number of capsules on main stem, number of capsules on branches will improve the seed yield since these traits expressed significantly positive correlation with seed yield and among themselves. Key words: Sesamum, lines, testers, character association Sesame (Sesamum indium L.) is one of the ancient and traditional oilseed crops cultivated in India, for its quality oil. The seed contains 50-60% oil which has excellent stability due to the presence of natural antioxidants such as sesamolin, sesamin and sesamol. The fatty acid composition of sesame oil varies considerably among the different cultivars worldwide. After oil extraction, the remaining meal contains 35- 50% protein, and is rich in tryptophan and methionine. Seeds with hulls are rich in calcium (1.3%) and provide a valuable source of minerals (Johnson et al. 1979). The addition of sesame to the high lysine meal of soybean produces a well-balanced animal feed. India ranks first in the world in sesame cultivation (27.7% area) but its productivity is quite low (368kg/ha) as compared to worlds average (489 kg/ha) (FAO, 2004). Selection merely based on yield is not effective. A study of nature and degree of association of component characters with yield assumes greater importance for fixing up characters that play a decisive role in influencing yield. Information on the association of plant characters with seed yield is of great importance to breeder in selecting desirable genotypes. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to gather information on character association analysis in 35 crosses and its parents of sesame for ten quantitayive characters. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experimental material for the present investigation comprised of 35 hybrids obtained by line x tester mating design by crossing 7 lines viz., NIC 7907,NIC 7908,NIC 7933,NIC 7936, NIC 7937, NIC 8009 and NIC 8010 and 5 testers viz., CO1, TMV3, TMV4, SVPR1 and VRI1. These 35 hybrids along with 12 parents were raised during rabi season of 2002- 2003 at Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Madurai with a spacing of 30 x 30 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Recommended package of practices with need based plant protection measures were Observations were recorded on Days to 50 per cent flowering, Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules on main stem, number of capsules on main branches, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule,1000 seed weight, oil content and single plant yield. The line x tester analysis was done as per the method suggested by Kempthorne(1957).