Influence of Foliar Application of Boron on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Sesame (cv. BARI Til-4)

Abstract

Foliar supplementation may be useful for boron to a crop when its demands are higher compared to the supply from soil. Boron is an important micronutrient which had a substantial impact on oil content, seed yield, and the components of the sesame yield. A field investigation was implemented to determine the impact of foliar application of boron on seed yield, growth and oil content of sesame cv. BARI Til-4. The investigation included four concentrations of boron viz. 0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm and three frequencies of boron application viz. one time at 30 days after sowing (DAS), two times at 30 and 50 DAS, and three times at 30, 50, and 70 DAS. The experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design, which was replicated thrice. At the vegetative stage, the highest plant height (107.3 cm), branches/plant (5.0) and shoot dry weight (45.20 g/plant) resulted in 75 ppm boron spray at 30, 50 and 70 DAS. However, the highest root dry weight (5.80 g/plant) was recorded in 75 ppm with one application of boron at 30 DAS. The plants with the highest plant height (112.1 cm), branches/plant (5.13), pods/plant (44.13), seeds/pod (54.33), seed yield (609.0 kg/ha), harvest index (30.65%), and oil content (42.33%) were also observed with the combination of 75 ppm boron spray with thrice application at 30, 50 and 70 DAS. The lowest seed yield (368.7 kg/ha) resulted in without boron application. Therefore, it can be inferred that the most efficient method for increasing the sesame seed yield and oil content is thrice (30, 50, and 70 DAS) foliar spraying of 75 ppm boron.