Evaluation of genetic diversity and classification of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes in Mashhad condition

Considering the limited production of edible oil in the country, selectivity of the genotypes of valuable oilseeds like sesame is important. A randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in the research farm of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2021, to investigate 20 sesame genotypes' yield, and yield components and determine the most important traits affecting the yield. The results showed that Afghan1, Afghan3, and Afghan5 genotypes had the highest number of capsules plant-1 , 1000-seed weight, biological yield, and seed yield. Also, the correlation analysis between the traits showed that seed yield had a positive and significant correlation with the number of capsules per plant (r=0.58**), and 1000-seed weight (r=0.42**), respectively. Based on the principal component analysis, in total two components explained 83.1% of the variation in data. The first component explained 57.7%, and the second component showed 15.2% of the most changes in variation between genotypes. Then, these two components used to determine the distribution and distinguish the best genotypes in the results. As a result of cluster analysis, genotypes were categorized into three groups based on yield and yield components. The genotypes of the third group (Afghan1, Afghan3, Afghan4, Afghan5, and Afghan7) had a higher average in the investigated traits than other groups. These results indicate that the most effective traits in sesame yield are the number of capsules per plant and the 1000-seed weight. Since high yield is one of the important breeding goals in sesame; therefore, genotypes with these characteristics can be introduced as superior genotypes.