ESTIMATION OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TEN ACCESSIONS OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum L.) CULTIVATED IN NORTH CENTRAL STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess morphological characteristics of ten accessions of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivated in north central states, Nigeria. A total of ten accessions of sesame were collected from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) Ibadan, Nigeria. The seeds were grown to maturity in pots arranged in experimental layout to assess morphological characteristics. Ten accession of sesame were evaluated for morphological traits at the at the landscape garden, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 growing seasons, using a complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replicates. The morphological parameters were investigated using standard procedures. The results on the morphological characteristics showed significant difference (p≤0.05) in the leaf lengths and leaf areas, number of leaves, plant heights, internodes flowers emergence, bud opening. The accessions showed variations in the leaf length at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). NGB943 had significantly highest in leaf lengths at 4, 6, and 8 WAP with the values of 10.07 cm, 20.67 cm, and 50.50 cm respectively. Similarly, the significant highest in leaf area was recorded at 4, 6, and 8 WAP for NGB943 with the values of 66.63 cm², 134.0 cm^2, and 199.80 cm² respectively. The number of leaves and plant heights of sesame plants at 4WAP, NGB1336 recorded the highest number of leaves with the value of 12 leaves. Plant height of sesame accessions significantly varied at 4, 6, and 8 WAP.  NGB 1336 produced the tallest plant with the values of 20.33, 40.33, and 60.33 at 4, 6, and 8 WAP respectively. The variations of accessions on internodes flower, bud emergence, and bud opening were significantly different (P≤ 0.05) at both 6 and 8WAP respectively. NGB380 produced the highest number of internodes flower at both 6 and 8WAP. The variations of accessions on internodes flower, bud emergence, and bud opening were significantly different at both 6 and 8WAP respectively. NGB380 produced the highest number of internodes flower at both 6 and 8WAP. Also, NGB454 and NGB943 recorded the highest bud emergence at 6WAP. Bud emergence at 8WAP indicated that NGB380 had a significantly highest value of 20 compared to other accessions. Also, NGB419 recorded significantly highest in bud opening at 6WAP with the values of 13.00 buds while NGB454 was significantly higher in the number of bud opening at 8WAP with the value of 18.00 buds. The study revealed that all of the morphological characteristics were influenced by genetic factors such characteristics are suitable for selection. Therefore, combination of high heritability estimates with genetic advance in the selection program is vital for selection of the crop in the future. Emphasis should be made on those morphological characteristics that show greater genetic importance for selection and improvement of the crop in Nigeria.