Abstract
Fusarium is one of the most dangerous fungal diseases that cause great loss of the sesame yield worldwide. The
present work aimed to improve tolerance and/or resistance to Fusarium through two cycles of pedigree selection on
sesame population for eight selection criteria started in the F3-generation. Genotypic coefficient of variability in the
F3 varied from 4.34% for days to 50% flowering to 38.15% for seed yield (SY/P). Days to 50% flowering showed
negative correlations with all traits except height to first capsule (HFC). Height to first capsule was negatively
correlated with length of fruiting zone (LFZ), 1000-SW, oil% and infection%, and positively correlated with
capsules/plant (NC/P) and SY/P. Single trait selection was an efficient method to improve selection criterion, but it
caused adverse effects on some correlated traits. Selection for days to 50% flowering improved earliness, but it was
better in improving yield if the selection was restricted by SY/P. Selection for oil% restricted by yield was better in
improving yield than selection for oil% per se. Therefore, the inclusion of a trait as independent culling level
improved the efficiency of selection. The best genetic gain in SY/P in percentage from the mid-parent was obtained
from selection for days to 50% flowering restricted by SY/P (35.56**), LFZ restricted by HFC (19.53**), days to
50% flowering (19.32**), oil% restricted by SY/P (19.02**), SY/P (17.38**), 1000 SW (14.09**) and LFZ (14.032**).
Therefore, selection index incorporating favorable trait is recommended.
Keywords: Sesame; Fusarium oxysporum; Pedigree selection; Genotypic correlation; Observed gain.