Evaluation of Yield and Yield Components of 43 Sesame (Sesamun indicum L.) Lines and Ecotypes under Irrigated with Saline Water

Salinity of water and soil in arid and semi arid regions restricts the growth and yield of crops such as sesame. In order to evaluate yield and yield components of 43 lines and ecotypes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under saline condition (EC of irrigation water، 5. 2 dS m-1) an experiment was carried out in randomize complete block design with three replications at salinity Research Station of Center of Special Crops، Agricultural College، Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2010. Results showed that 25 sesame accessions were capable to emerge and growth until maturity and others died in different growth stages. There were significant differences between sesame accessions for yield and yield components (number of capsule per plant، number of seed per capsule and 1000 seed weight). The maximum biomass was obtained from MSC3 (73. 2 g/plant)، and in 24 percent of accessions was further than 30 g plant-1 and the maximum grain yield was observed in MSC3 (24. 7 g m-2). There was considerable variation between accessions in number of capsule per plant، so that the range was from 2 to 57 capsules per plant. Results of correlation coefficients showed that there were significant and positive correlation between seed yield and number of capsules per plant (r=0. 46**) and biological yield (r= 0. 94 **). It seems that for selection of salt tolerant sesame accessions، screening of seed yield in field conditions is a reliable index. However، further study on growth and physiological processes is necessary for determination of salt tolerance in sesame.