Characterization is the description of plant germplasm, which determines the expression of highly heritable characters ranging from morphological or agronomical features upto biochemical traits. The morphological characterization i.e. plant phenotyping is still under rapid development at the moment distinguishing proof and genetic improvement evaluation is most extreme significant input for field functionaries, seed certification agencies and crop breeders. Sesame is a member of the family Pedaliaceae and is considered as one of the most ancient oil seed crops, having the great diversity across the India. The present investigation was planned to evaluate the major eleven morphological characteristics viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, length of capsule, 1000 seed weight, seed yield per plant, harvesting index and oil content in fifty-one sesame genotypes collected from all over the sesame growing regions of India. Genotypes IC-402056, EC-370343, IC204049, AKT-101 and IC-203920 exhibited the high potential for seed yield, whereas, AKT-101, IC-204037, IC-203920 and EC-370402 recorded potential for high oil content. These genotypes identified as high yielding and potential sources for oil content, may be included in future sesame breeding programs.

Keywords : Characterization, Plant Genetic Resources, Sesame, Sesamum Indicum, Seed Yield and Seed Oil Content.