Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the agro-economic performance of sesame (Sesamum indicum) under nitrogen fertigation in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with four replicates, and the treatments were arranged in a split-plot, where the plots were assigned five N rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1) and the sub-plots were represented by four sesame genotypes ('CNPA G2', 'CNPA G3', 'CNPA G4', and 'BRS Seda'). The following variables were evaluated in two agricultural harvests in 2016: gross and net incomes, rate of return, and profit margin. In both harvests, there was a variation in production costs between N rates. In the second harvest, the highest values of net income were achieved with 120 kg ha-1 N fertigation, being: R$7,428.36 ha-1 for 'CNPA G2', R$8,630.74 ha-1 for 'CNPA G3', R$9,828.64 ha-1 for 'CNPA G4', and R$8,354.06 ha-1 for 'BRS Seda'. Increasing N rates provide an increase in the gross income, net income, rate of return, and profit margin for sesame producers. Fertigation with 120 kg ha-1 N provides the maximum agro-economic performance for sesame, whereas the 'CNPA G4' genotype shows the greatest agro-economic efficiency.
Highlights
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseeds cultivated by humankind, with a great potential for the economic exploitation of both its seeds and oil, as well as of its by-products (Beltrão & Vieira, 2001; Beltrão et al, 2013)
The treatments were arranged in split-plots, with five N rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1) assigned to the plots and four sesame genotypes ('CNPA G2', 'CNPA G3', 'CNPA G4', and 'BRS Seda') representing the subplots
The homogeneity of variances was accepted for the variables gross income, net income, rate of return, and profit margin, enabling the joint analysis
Summary
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseeds cultivated by humankind, with a great potential for the economic exploitation of both its seeds and oil, as well as of its by-products (Beltrão & Vieira, 2001; Beltrão et al, 2013). The national consumption is higher than the product supply, making the importation of sesame necessary: in 2018, a total of 3,540 and 1,024 tons of grains and sesame oil, respectively, were imported (FAO, 2018). In this scenario, the tendency is an increased demand for this cereal in the national market, boosting research for new production technologies and novel and more productive varieties (Beltrão et al, 2013). An adequate field management is necessary, based on the requirements of sesame Both nutrient requirements and the edaphoclimatic factors that can influence the crop should be taken into account for an efficient fertilization (Beltrão et al, 1991; Ribeiro et al, 2019; Zenawi & Mizan, 2019). A good fertilization management allows increasing, for example, the agricultural productivity and profitability of a crop; it represents a significant cost to the farmer and increases investment risk when not properly carried out (Mesquita, 2014)
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