NAGABHUSHANA*, D. BHARATHI, P. SRIVALLI, B. RUPESH KUMAR REDDY AND M. REDDI SEKHAR

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517 502.

ABSTRACT

One hundred sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes were evaluated for twenty morphological traits using DUS descriptors in an Alpha Lattice Design with two replications during the rabi season 2024–2025 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati. Based on the results of frequency distribution, a majority of sesame accessions were found to possess medium duration of 50% flowering with light purple petal colour, dense petal hairiness, medium plant branching, medium plant height, basal branching pattern, absent stem hairiness, medium leaf size, slightly lobed leaf, strong leaf serration, absent capsule hairiness, four locules per leaf axil, broad oblong capsule shape, one capsule per leaf axil, alternate capsule arrangement, medium maturity, medium thousand seed weight, white seed coat colour and low oil content percent. The study highlights distinct morphological variations among sesame genotypes due to genetic differences, offering valuable insights for breeders in varietal selection, identification, and conservation.

KEYWORDS: DUS testing, Sesame, Genotypes.