Interrelationship and Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Growth and Yield Characterestics in Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Field experiments were conducted during 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria (Latitude 100 15’N and longitude 130 16’ E at an altitude of 696 m above sea level) to study the effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) rates on some growth and yield characteristics of sesame as well as to determine the interrelationship, path coefficient analysis and percentage contributions of these growth characters to seed yield. The treatments consisted of four N rates: 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1 and four P rates: 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1. These treatments in factorial combinations were laid out in split plot design with N rates assigned to main plots and P rates assigned to sub plots and were replicated four times. The following data were collected; number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant, plant height and seed yield per hectare and were subjected to correlation and path coefficient analyses. Result obtained showed a positive relationship among the characters measured which also contributed meaningfully both directly and indirectly to total seed yield per plant with number of branches and plant height making the highest direct contributions, respectively. Hence these two may serve as a basis for selection in sesame crop improvement