Assessment of Genetic Variability in Seed Germination Parameters and Oil Content of Some Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Accessions

Soybean (Glycine max) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) are globally significant oilseed crops known for their nutritional and economic value. The objective of this paper was to assess the genetic variability in seed germination parameters and oil content of some soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) accessions. Germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), mean germination time (MGT), and seed oil content (SOC) were analysed. For soybean, significant genetic variation was observed in SOC (F = 1906.62, p < 0.001), with values ranging from 18.60% to 27.15%, while germination traits showed limited variability. Genotypes like SC-Signal and TGX2020-4E demonstrated superior performance in germination and oil yield, with SC-Signal recording the highest oil content (27.15%) making it a promising candidate for oil production. In sesame, germination parameters varied moderately, with GP ranging from 60.95% to 85.72%, while SOC showed substantial genetic diversity (38.90–51.00%). Genotype T3 recorded the highest oil content (51.00%), while T6 showed the best germination metrics. The study revealed that SOC is a highly heritable trait in both crops, with minimal environmental influence, whereas germination traits were more affected by experimental conditions. These findings underscore the importance of genetic selection for improving oil yield and germination performance in soybean and sesame. The identified genotypes, SC-Signal and T3, provide valuable genetic resources for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing crop productivity and nutritional quality.