Abstract
Sesame (Sesamum indicum. L) is one of the main sources of livelihoods in northern Uganda. However, its production is constrained by low soil fertility and moisture levels. A study was conducted at Serere, Uganda in 2013 and 2014 to investigate the effect of organo-mineral fertilizers on growth, seed yield and nutritional quality of sesame. The design of the experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments comprised: control (no soil amendment), mixtures of 4 crop residues each at (3 and 6 t/ha) and two rates of N, P and K. Finger millet husks (3 t/ha) plus lower fertilizer rate (30 kg N-25 kg P-40 Kg K/ha) had significantly higher seed yield of sesame; while finger millet husks (6 t/ha) plus higher fertilizer rate (60 kg N-50 kg P-80 Kg K/ha) significantly increased vegetative growth of sesame. Finger millet husks (6 t/ha) plus lower fertilizer rate had significantly higher seed crude protein content of sesame; while cowpea husks (3 t/ha) plus higher fertilizer rate and groundnut shells (3 t/ha) plus lower fertilizer rate produced significantly higher seed total ash and seed oil content of sesame, respectively. This study has demonstrated that application of a mixture of crop residues and inorganic fertilizers is the best treatment in enhancing growth, seed yield and nutritional seed quality of sesame.
Highlights
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in Uganda and is ranked second after groundnuts
Application of 60 kg N-50 kg P-80 kg K/ha produced taller sesame plants with a higher number of branches per plant and leaf area index (LAI) compared with 30 kg N-25 kg P-40 kg K/ha (Table 1)
Sesame plants were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) taller where sorghum were applied in combination with 60 kg N-50 kg P-80 kg K/ha than the control and sorghum husks plus 30 kg N-25 kg P-40 kg K/ha (Tables 2 and 3)
Summary
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in Uganda and is ranked second after groundnuts. Sesame cultivation is confined mainly to drier and warmer regions of Uganda that receive very low and un-predictable rainfall These areas have poor soils with low moisture retention and nutrient status. Farmers in sesame growing areas are resource poor and heavily depend on rain-fed crop production systems and natural soil fertility for crop production (Ibeawuchi et al, 2009). These farmers persistently get low sesame yields at their fields averaging 693 kg/ha compared to a potential yield of 2250 kg/ha (Anyanga et al, 2003; Munyua et al, 2013). Enhancement of nutrient release from such crop residues can be achieved when applied in combination with N, P and K nutrients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
