Growth and yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum) as influenced by plant population density and organo-mineral fertilizer rates

J.A Oloniruha,S.K Ogundare,K Olajide

doi:10.4314/as.v20i1.3

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oil-seed crop cultivated for its high nutrition and edible seeds. However, its cultivation is affected by low soil fertility, wrong choice of plant population density and time of sowing. The experiment was carried out during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the Research Site of Agronomy Section, Kabba College of Agriculture, Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria. The experiment evaluated the influence of plant population density and organo-mineral fertilizer rates on the performance of Sesame in Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria. The experiment was a split plot design replicated thrice. The main plot treatment was three plant population density (P1 = 111,111; P2 = 83,333 and P3 = 66,667 plants ha–1) and the sub-plot treatment was four organo-mineral fertilizer rates (F0 = 0, F1 = 500, F2 = 1000, F3 = 1500 kg ha-1). Data were collected on growth, morphological characters (plant height, number of leaves, number of branches) and yield components (number of capsules plant–1, 1000 seed weight and yield ha–1). The result showed that the plant at P1 produced the tallest plants throughout the period of sampling, which was closely followed by P2 while P3 produced the shortest plants. Numbers of capsules plant–1 was highest in plots with P1 which was statistically the same with the number of capsules plant–1 in P2. Number of capsules plant–1 in P1 and P2 were statistically better than the plots with P3. Plots treated with rate F2 gave the highest number of capsules and also recorded the highest yield in 2016 and 2017 growth seasons. The results indicated that Sesame with closest spacing was better in terms of seed yield land–1 area while widest spacing gave the highest individual yield attributes. For economic use of land, it is concluded that plant population density at 111,111 be adopted in the production of Sesame. Best growth and yield performance of Sesame was achieved with 1500 kg ha-1 of organo-mineral fertilizer and is recommended for optimum production of Sesame in the study area.

Highlights

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical Africa for its highly nutritious and edible seeds (Iwo et al, 2002)
Leach et al (1999) reported that plants grown at high density (150 plants m–2) had fewer podbearing branches per plant but produced more branches and an increase in plant density led to an increase in 1000 seed weight
The result indicated that sesame with highest plant population density was better in terms of number of capsule per plant and seed yield

Summary

Introduction

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical Africa for its highly nutritious and edible seeds (Iwo et al, 2002). It is cultivated in the savannah zones of Nigeria (Alegbejo et al, 2003). According to Dudley et al (2000), the oil is used in cooking and baking, food manufacture, alternative medicine and making of candy, soaps, lubricants, body massage and hair treatments, among other industrial uses. Plant densities vary considerably, depending on the environment, production system and cultivar. Al Barzinjy et al (1999) reported that the number of capsules per plant, seed weight and dry matter per plant decreased as plant density increased in oilseed rape. Al Barzinjy et al (1999) reported that the number of capsules per plant, seed weight and dry matter per plant decreased as plant density increased in oilseed rape. Leach et al (1999) reported that plants grown at high density (150 plants m–2) had fewer podbearing branches per plant but produced more branches and an increase in plant density led to an increase in 1000 seed weight

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion