Studies on the Expression of Heterosis in Interspecific Hybrids of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The present study was undertaken to develop superior hybrids for yield and its component traits in Sesamum indicum L. through interspecific hybridization by utilizing S. malabaricum as one of the parents. Direct and reciprocal crosses were attempted using eight cultivated varieties and S. malabaricum, which evaluated a total of fifteen interspecific hybrids. Highly significant and positive heterosis was observed in a few hybrids for the vegetative traits. For single plant yield, the number of seeds per capsule, 100 seed weight, highly significant and negative heterosis was observed. The hybrid SVPR 1 x S. malabaricum had expressed significantly negative relative heterosis for days to first flowering, days to maturity, and plant height. The cross S. malabaricum x TMV 3 had shown highly significant and positive relative heterosis for the number of primary and secondary branches the number of capsules on the main stem and branches.