This study was conducted to evaluate the growth characters and yield components of 18 collected sesame cultivars to get basic information on the variation for the sesame breeding using principal component analysis. All characters except days to flowering, days to maturity and 1,000 seed weight showed significantly different. Seed weight per 10 are showed higher coefficient of variance. Capsule bearing stem length and liter weight showed positive correlation with seed yield per 10 are. The principal components analysis grouped the estimated sesame cultivars into four main components which accounted for 83.7% of the total variation at the eigenvalue and its contribution to total variation obtained from principal component analysis. The first principal component (Z1 ) was applicable to increase plant height, capsule bearing stem length and 1,000-seed weight. The second principal component (Z2 ) negatively correlated with days to flowering and maturity by which it was applicable to shorten flowering and maturity date of sesame. At the scatter diagram, Yangbaek, Ansan, M1, M2, M4, M7 and M9 were classified as same group, but M10, Yanghuk, Kanghuk, M5, M6, M12 and M13 were classified as different group. This results would be helpful for sesame breeder to understand genetic relationship of some agronomic characters and select promising cross lines for the development of new sesame variety.

• Kang-Bo Shim
• Chung-Dong Hwang
• Suk-Bok Pae
• Jang-Whan Park
• Jae-Cheon Byun
• Keum-Yong Park