The analysis of variance revealed presence of significant variability among the 44 genotypes of rice for all the traits except for number of effective bearing tillers per plant. Higher magnitude of PCV and GCV were recorded for all the characters studied. Additive gene action was predominant for the traits, number of grains per panicle and 1000 grain weight. Based on D2 analysis the genotypes were grouped into 11clusters. On the basis of inter cluster distance genotypes from clusters IV and V followed by V and IX could be used as parents for future hybridization programme. Cluster mean analysis revealed the genotypes, JGL 21820 and JGL 21849 could be used in breeding programme for obtaining high yielding super fine grain segregants. Days to 50% flowering and 1000 grain weight manifested highest contribution towards total divergence, thus, these traits could be given due importance for further crop improvement.

Eighteen rice genotypes were evaluated for studying genetic parameters and genetic divergence for yield contributing characters and gall midge resistance at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial, Telangana. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant variability in experimental material for all the traits under study. Heritability estimates and genetic advance values indicated that percent of galls, effective bearing tillers plant-1 , 1000 grain weight and number of grains panicle-1 were predominantly governed by additive genes which could be improved through proper selection in desirable direction, whereas, non additive genes played dominant role in the inheritance of days to 50% flowering, plant height and panicle length which could be improved through heterosis breeding. Mahalanobis D 2 analysis distributed 18 genotypes into three clusters with cluster I containing maximum number of genotypes (14). Maximum inter cluster distance (10.48) was observed between cluster II and cluster III indicating wider genetic diversity, hence, crosses involving parents belonging to these clusters likely to produce wide variability and transgressive segregants with high heterotic effects. Genotypes JGL 19607, JGL 21820, JGL 3844 (cluster II) and JGL 23745 (cluster III) exhibited least gall midge incidence which could be utilized as parents in developing gall midge resistance genotypes. 1000 grain weight and days to 50% flowering were contributed maximum (75.16%) to the total divergence which could be given due importance during hybridization and selection in segregating populations.

In present investigation, 133genotypes comprised of advanced mutant breeding lines, germplasm lines, genotypes pertaining to Initial Varietal Trial, Advanced varietal Trial and Multi Location Trial, popular varieties national, zonal and local checks were evaluated for assessment of genetic variability at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial with Randomized Block design in 3 replications. Influence on breeding programmes is especially based on the extent to which variability occurs and the relative amount of variation in the different traits. It is measured by determining the genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV). Since heritability may be affected by environmental factors, information of predicted genetic gain will be more helpful in the selection process. Genetic advance (GA) on the other hand refers to the improvement of traits in genotypic value for the new population in comparison with the original population. From the above investigated material, the highest GCV and PCV was observed for traits seed yield per plant followed by number of capsules per plant, number of branches per plant and phyllody (% incidence). The heritability estimates were high for days to maturity followed by days to 50 % flowering, plant height, seed yield per plant, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant and phyllody (% incidence). High heritability coupled with high GAM indicates the presence of additive gene action for the characters and they are inherited through simple selection. K e y w o r d sPCV, GCV, heritability, GAM, mutant breeding lines, diseases

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of ten sesame varieties viz, RT-346, RT-351, RT-127, GT-10, TKG-22, Swetha til, JCSDT-26, DS-1, YLM-66 and KMS-59 for physiological, biochemical and yield traits using randomized block design with three replications under rainfed conditions. Results showed that the varieties significantly differed for the physiological parameters such as photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration where as transpiration rate remain non-significant. Variety JCSDT-26 recorded high photosynthetic rate which is positively correlated with the seed yield and low transpiration rate and internal CO2 concentration which are negatively correlated with the seed yield. The highest value of oil content was observed in JCSDT-26 (48.5 %) because of its white seed colour. The maximum value of palmitic acid was also recorded in the variety JCSDT-26 (10.57%). Hence, the variety JCSDT-26 is considered as suitable for cultivation under the rainfed conditions.

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