Abstract
Oilseeds yield response to sulphur (S) has been well investigated but the dynamics of total biomass accumulation (TBA) and partitioning by sesame plants in response to S are not well understood. This study was initiated to investigate the effects of S on sesame, in which four sesame varieties V1, SG-27; V2, SG-30; V3, SG-36; V4, SG-51 and four S treatments T1, 20; T2, 30; T3, 40; T4, 50 kg ha−1 were used. Results revealed that the leaf area index and photosynthetic rate of sesame varieties were significantly higher under T3 with V3. Similarly, S fertilization considerably increased the TBA and maximum TBA was reached at late-flowering with V3 in T3. Relative to T1, plants in T3 had 33 and 23% higher capsule and seed biomass, respectively. Furthermore, total S accumulation and distribution in different plant organs changed with growth stage, at pre-flowering and mid-flowering stage maximum S was found in the stem, whereas at late-flowering and full-maturity stage highest S was recorded in reproductive parts. These results implied that S fertilizers should be applied to agricultural fields to improve oilseed production and by selecting the appropriate and area-specific genotype we can increase sesame seed yield under rainfed conditions.
Highlights
IntroductionSulphur (S) is considered as the fourth main plant nutrient after nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P)
Sulphur (S) is considered as the fourth main plant nutrient after nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P)and potassium (K) and its low availability in various soils causes the innate S deficiency
The different levels of S treatment significantly increased the Leaf area index (LAI), the averaged highest LAI value 2.3, 3.6, 3.1 and 1.57 was measured in treatment T3, whereas averaged lowest LAI value was observed with T1 treatment at pre-flowering stage (PF), mid-flowering stage (MF), late-flowering stage (LF) and full-maturity stage (FM), respectively in both years
Summary
Sulphur (S) is considered as the fourth main plant nutrient after nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P). Potassium (K) and its low availability in various soils causes the innate S deficiency. Sufficient application of S fertilizer has been documented to improve sesame seed yield and yield related traits [2,3,4,5], as well as oil [6] and protein content [2] in sesame. Our recent results demonstrated that sesame crop can accumulate 40 kg S ha−1 under rainfed conditions [7]. Sulphur application increased the availability of other major nutrients N, P and K [5] and enhanced sesame growth under drought conditions [6]. Its deficiency negatively affects the crop growth phases, Agronomy 2018, 8, 149; doi:10.3390/agronomy8080149 www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy
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