Effect of sowing date in growth characteristics for several cultivars of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment has been fulfilled in sandy - clay texture soil in Al-Jazira region in Al-Khalidia town in Al-Anbar province during summer season of 2000 ac. To study the effect of sowing dates (1st may, 15th may, 1st June and 15th June) in growth characteristics of four cultivars from sesame (Al-Mahali, Ishtar, Babel and Rafadeen) and determine the best cultivar and date of sowing given the best growth for sesame under the climate of Al-Anbar governorate. The factorial experiment has been used according to random complete block design (R.C.B.D.) with three replicate. The following were obtained results: The cultivars different significantly in growth characters, the derivative cultivars especially Ishtar are earlier in duration (period) of maturity (ripening) and mean 15.64 day compared with Al-mahali cultivar whose overcame on them in stem diameter (1.36 cm), number of branches per plant (4.10 branch) dry weight of plant (16.83 g / plant). while Ishtar and Babel are overcame in shortest of stem height from ground (earth) until the beginning of branching (12.54 , 13.12) cm. The last cultivar also overcame in high mean of plant height (149.13 cm) as compared with other varieties. There was a significant effect for sowing dates in most growth characters. The plants which are planted at 1st may recorded a high mean for dry weight of plant (15 g / plant) and number of day from sowing to ripening (150.82 day) compared which are planted in 15th June which earlier in ripening (110 day) and overcame in stem diameter (1.27 cm), while the plants are sowing in 1st June recorded a high mean of plant height (153.35 cm). the dates of sowing not effect significantly in the stem long from earth surface until beginning of branching and number of branches / plant. The interaction between sowing dates and cultivars had significant effect in all growth characters except number of branch / plant. The local cultivar that sowing in 1st June gave a highest mean of plant height (182.15 cm), stem diameter (1.58 cm) and plant dry weight (27.75 g / plant). The Ishtar cultivar that sowing in the same date also recorded a less distance to beginning of branches (9.83 cm) and earlier in ripening when sowing in 15st June (104.66 day) as compared with other treatments especially with local cultivar that planting in 1st may (164.66 day).