Evaluation of animal- and green manures co-application on soil micronutrients and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in organic farm condition

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of organic fertilizers on micronutrients status of soil and yield of sesame. Research was performed in split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included animal manure as main factor at three levels (0, 10, and 20 t ha−1) and application of green manures as sub factor at four levels (no green manure, Berseem clover, Fenugreek, and Vicia villosa). The results showed by application of animal manure, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and ferrous (Fe) contents in the treatment of 20 t ha−1 of animal manure were about 27, 22, 7.5, and 6% higher than the control treatment, respectively. The soil analysis showed in the post-harvesting stage of sesame 2.7% Cu and 29% Zn were stored in the soil. While the amounts of Fe 11% and Mn 71% in the soil were less than pre-planting of sesame. In general, fenugreek green manure application increased the amounts of micronutrients of soil more than the other green manures and animal manure individually. The highest total dry weight (10720.0 kg ha−1), grain yield (1929.4 kg ha−1) and oil yield (946.8 kg ha−1) were observed in the 20 t ha−1 of animal manure and Fenugreek of green manure treatments, which were about 44, 52 and 50% higher than the non-application of animal and green manures treatments, respectively. In general, the application of organic manures increased sesame yield by improving the physico-chemical properties and the amount of soil micronutrients.