A field study to evaluate the “Response of various sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties under the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus doses’’ was carried out at Oilseeds Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during Kharif 2013. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated randomized complete block design (RCBD) factorial, having net plot size 6 × 3 m (18 m2). The treatments comprised two varieties such as S-17 and Pr-125, and six doses of NP i.e. (No fertilizer (Control), NP @ 30 - 30 kg·ha-1, NP @ 50 - 30 kg·ha-1, NP @ 50 - 50 kg·ha-1, NP @ 70 - 50 kg·ha-1 and NP @ 70 - 70 kg·ha-1). The analysis of variance suggested that all the doses of NP affected significantly (P < 0.05) growth and yield of sesame varieties as compared to No fertilizer (Control) treatment. In the case of fertilizer doses, NP @ 70 - 70 kg·ha-1 produced maximum plant height (102.33 cm), branches plant-1 (18.50), capsules plant-1 (42.17), seeds capsule-1 (57.67), seed weight plant-1 (37.50 g), seed index (3.10 g) and seed yield (774.17 kg·ha-1), whereas NP @ 70 + 50 kg·ha-1 and NP @ 50 - 50 kg·ha-1 ranked 2nd and 3rd in all the growth and yield traits, particularly seed yield (763.50 kg·ha-1 and 694.50 kg·ha-1). Among sesame varieties, S-17 resulted in maximum plant height (91.89 cm), branches plant-1 (15.11), capsules plant-1 (37.06), seeds capsule-1 (50.56), seed weight plant-1 (32.00 g), seed index (2.63 g) and seed yield (682.11 kg·ha-1), whereas variety Pr-125 resulted in minimum traits, particularly seed yield (657.56 kg·ha-1). In the case of interactive effects, the interaction of NP @ 70 - 70 kg·ha-1 × variety S-17 produced maximum values, particularly seed yield (782.67), whereas minimum results were recorded in the interaction of No fertilizer (Control) × variety Pr-125. Hence results concluded that the interaction of NP @ 70 - 50 kg·ha-1 variety S-17 was found most economical for obtaining optimum yield of sesame because of non-significant differences with NP @ 70 - 70 kg·ha-1.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) locally known as “til” is probably the most ancient oilseed known and used by man [
Pakistan is facing shortage of edible oil. The total availability of edible oil in 2008-09 was 2.821 million tons, while local production of edible oil was 684 thousand tons that is 24% of the total availability in the country. The remaining 76% was made available through imports. During 2009-10, 1.246 million tons edible oil which amount to Rs. 77.78 billion has been imported, while the local production of edible oil was 0.680 million tons [
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients required by the plants for their growth and vigour. Nitrogen is considered as an essential element of bio-molecules such as amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, phytohormones and a number of enzymes and coenzymes. N strongly stimulates growth, expansion of the crop canopy and interception of solar radiation [
The nutrient applied is not readily available to the plants due to soil salinity; a sufficient quantity is leached or fixed in the soil. Balanced application of fertilizer like nitrogen and phosphorus play vital role in enhancing the yield of sesame, while indiscriminate use of these nutrients causes several problems like insect pests which causes considerable loss to the crop yield [
The experiment was laid out in a three replicated randomize complete block design (RCBD) factorial, having net plot size 6 × 3 m (18 m2). The treatments comprised two varieties (S-17 and Pr-125) and six doses of NP i.e. (No fertilizer (Control), NP @ 30 - 30 kg∙ha−1, NP @ 50 - 30 kg∙ha−1, NP @ 50 - 50 kg∙ha−1, NP @ 70 - 50 kg∙ha−1 and NP @ 70 - 70 kg∙ha−1). For preparation of seedbed disc harrow was run to open and pulverize the soil, and later the land was leveled and planked. After soaking dose, when the land came in condition, the cultivator was used, followed by rotavator. A total of 36 plots were prepared and the treatments were managed in such a way to separate the treatments and replications easily, while the channels and bunds were developed to facilitate the irrigation water application and interculturing. The seed of sesame varieties was sown with the help of single row hand drill. The row to row spacing of 45 cm and plant to plant distance 15 cm was maintained. Fertilizers NP were applied as per treatments. Full dose of P in the form of DAP, whereas half dose of N in the form of Urea were applied at the time of sowing. Remaining half dose of Nitrogen was applied at the time of first irrigation. First irrigation at 21 DAS as recommended, whereas subsequent irrigations keeping in view soil moisture condition and crop requirement were applied. In all three irrigations were applied. The weeds were controlled by interculturing at 1st and 2nd irrigations. These observations were recorded plant height (cm), branches plant−1, capsules plant−1, seeds capsule−1, seed weight plant−1 (g), seed index (1000 seed weight, g), seed yield (kg∙ha−1).
Nutrient deficiency and imbalanced fertilizers use are one of the important factors for low yield of sesame in Pakistan. Nitrogen is essential element of bio-molecules such as amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids and enzymes. It stimulates growth, expansion of the crop canopy and interception of solar radiation [
The results of present study
The results about plant height (cm)of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
Varieties | Plant height (cm) | Branches plant−1 | Capsule plant−1 | Seeds capsule−1 | Seed weight plant−1 | Seed index (1000 seed weight, g) | Seed yield (kg∙ha−1) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S-17 | 91.89 a | 15.11 a | 37.06 a | 50.56 a | 32.00 a | 2.63 a | 682.11 a |
Pr-125 | 88.56 b | 13.06 b | 34.11 b | 47.17 b | 29.06 b | 2.47 b | 657.56 b |
LSD 0.05% | 3.0071 | 1.8914 | 2.1383 | 2.5111 | 2.5975 | 0.1627 | 15.845 |
LSD 0.01% | -- | -- | 2.9064 | 3.4130 | -- | -- | 21.537 |
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | |||||||
Control | 55.50 e | 5.83 d | 18.50 c | 25.50 d | 13.00 d | 1.65 d | 485.00 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 90.33 d | 11.67 c | 35.00 b | 49.00 c | 30.17 c | 2.25 c | 630.17 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 95.00 cd | 15.00 b | 37.50 b | 51.50 c | 32.50 bc | 2.60 b | 671.67 b |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 97.00 bc | 15.83 ab | 38.67 ab | 53.00 bc | 33.50 abc | 2.70 b | 694.50 b |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 101.17 ab | 17.67 ab | 41.67 a | 56.50 ab | 36.50 ab | 3.00 a | 763.50 a |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 102.33 a | 18.50 a | 42.17 a | 57.67 a | 37.50 a | 3.10 a | 774.17 a |
LSD 0.05% | 5.2084 | 3.2201 | 3.7037 | 4.3483 | 4.4996 | 0.2818 | 27.445 |
LSD 0.01% | 7.0791 | 4.3774 | 5.0340 | 5.9114 | 6.1156 | 0.3830 | 37.303 |
Interaction (V × F) | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 59.33 | 51.67 | 55.50 e |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 91.33 | 89.33 | 90.33 d |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 96.00 | 94.00 | 95.00 cd |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 99.00 | 95.00 | 97.00 bc |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 102.00 | 100.33 | 101.17 ab |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 103.67 | 101.00 | 102.33 a |
Mean | 91.89 a | 88.56 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
The data regarding branches plant−1 of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
The results in relation to capsules plant−1 of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
The data regarding seeds plant−1 of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 6.67 | 5.00 | 5.83 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 12.33 | 11.00 | 11.67 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 16.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 b |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 16.67 | 15.00 | 15.83 ab |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 19.00 | 16.33 | 17.67 ab |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 20.00 | 17.00 | 18.50 a |
Mean | 15.11 a | 13.06 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 20.00 | 17.00 | 18.50 c |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 36.00 | 34.00 | 35.00 b |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 39.00 | 36.00 | 37.50 b |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 40.33 | 37.00 | 38.67 ab |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 43.00 | 40.33 | 41.67 a |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 44.00 | 40.33 | 42.17 a |
Mean | 37.06 a | 34.11 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
phosphorus doses and varieties, whereas non-significant (P > 0.05) effect for their interaction on seeds plant−1 [
The data about seed weight plant−1 (g) of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 28.00 | 23.00 | 25.50 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 50.00 | 48.00 | 49.00 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 53.00 | 50.00 | 51.50 c |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 55.00 | 51.00 | 53.00 bc |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 58.00 | 55.00 | 56.50 ab |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 59.33 | 56.00 | 57.67 a |
Mean | 50.56 a | 47.17 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 15.00 | 11.00 | 13.00 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 31.00 | 29.33 | 30.17 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 34.00 | 31.00 | 32.50 bc |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 35.00 | 32.00 | 33.50 abc |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 38.00 | 35.00 | 36.50 ab |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 39.00 | 36.00 | 37.50 a |
Mean | 32.00 a | 29.06 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
The results regarding seed index (1000 seed weight, g) of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
The results regarding seed yield (kg∙ha−1) of sesame varieties as affected by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus are presented in
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 1.70 | 1.60 | 1.65 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 2.30 | 2.20 | 2.25 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 2.70 | 2.50 | 2.60 b |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 2.80 | 2.60 | 2.70 b |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 3.10 | 2.90 | 3.00 a |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 3.20 | 3.00 | 3.10 a |
Mean | 2.63 a | 2.47 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
NP doses (kg∙ha−1) | Varieties | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|
S-17 | Pr-125 | ||
No fertilizer (Control) | 493.33 | 476.67 | 485.00 d |
NP @ 30 - 30 | 635.00 | 625.33 | 630.17 c |
NP @ 50 - 30 | 696.67 | 646.67 | 671.67 b |
NP @ 50 - 50 | 713.33 | 675.67 | 694.50 b |
NP @ 70 - 50 | 771.67 | 755.33 | 763.50 a |
NP @ 70 - 70 | 782.67 | 765.67 | 774.17 a |
Mean | 682.11 a | 657.56 b | - |
Means not sharing the same letter in a column differ significantly at 0.05 probability level.
The results concluded that growth and yield traits particularly seed yield of sesame varieties were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by all the doses of nitrogen and phosphorus. Application of NP @ 70 - 70 kg∙ha−1 produced maximum values for all the attributes, particularly seed yield (774.17 kg∙ha−1) showing non-significant statistical differences with NP @ 70 - 50 kg∙ha−1. In the case of varieties, maximum parameters, particularly seed yield (682.11 kg∙ha−1) were recorded in S-17. Among interactive effects, the interaction of NP @ 70 - 70 kg∙ha−1 variety S-17 produced maximum seed yield (782.67 kg∙ha−1).
The author (S K) is highly grateful to Dr. Mahmoodah Buriro, Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando jam, for their technical and support throughout the research Project.