Genetic studies were carried out on seedling and agronomic characters amongst 50 sesame genotypes to estimate the genetic variation, determine the relationships amongst the characters and identify rapidly growing genotypes with vigorous seedling growth. The contribution of genetic variance was highest for the two mature characters, days to first flower (95.6%) and number of nodes to first flower (95.2%), and was mediumhigh (50-75%) for most of the seedling characters. Strong positive genetic correlations were obtained between various cotyledon and early leaf characteristics measured at 20 days after sowing. Based on these results several genotypes were identified as having rapid seedling growth and these could form an initial gene pool to provide material for screening for tolerance to sesame flea beetle.

The results of a survey showed that one of the most critical constraints in sesame production in southern Tanzania is sesame¯ea beetle (Alocypha bimaculata, Jacoby). Local methods used by farmers to control, avoid or compensate for the damage caused by¯ea beetles were identi®ed. Farmers regarded resistance against the¯ea beetle as a very desirable objective in a sesame breeding programme, but a number of other important characteristics, such as disease and drought resistance, was also mentioned. At three locations in southern Tanzania twenty sesame varieties were screened for resistance to¯ea beetles by counting the number of surviving plants at the 1±2 true pairs of leaves growth stage. The results suggest that there were signi®cant dierences between varieties in terms of their susceptibility to this pest, which suggests that a resistance breeding programme may be successful.