Quality of sesame seeds produced under soil salinity levels1

Jackson Silva Nóbrega,Kilson Pinheiro Lopes,Francisco Jean Da Silva Paiva,João Batista Dos Santos,Joseano Graciliano Da Silva,Geovani Soares De Lima

doi:10.1590/1983-40632018v4852615

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sesame is considered an alternative crop for small and medium farmers in the Brazilian Northeast region. However, under the conditions of the northeastern semi-arid region, the scarcity of good quality water for irrigation may lead to a reduction in the quality of the final product. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds produced under levels of soil salinity. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, corresponding to sesame cultivars (BRS Seda, BRS G2, BRS G3, BRS G4 and BRS Anahi) and soil salinity levels with the following values for electrical conductivity: 0.6 dS m-1, 1.2 dS m-1, 1.8 dS m-1, 2.4 dS m-1 and 3.0 dS m-1. The physiological quality was characterized based on tests of germination, first germination count, germination speed index, radicle length, seed electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index and seedling dry matter. BRS Seda, BRS G2 and BRS G3, cultivated under salinity levels, present seeds with a better physiological quality, demonstrating a higher tolerance to salt stress conditions. The BRS Seda and BRS G2 cultivars tolerate salinity levels of up to 2.4 dS m-1, while BRS G3 tolerates levels of up to 1.8 dS m-1. BRS G4 and BRS Anahi have the physiological quality of their seeds compromised by the increase in the soil salinity, during their production.

Highlights

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops cultivated, with a great adaptability to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian Northeast semi-arid region, where it is produced by family farmers and plays a social role in the generation of income and employment, constituting an alternative of exploitation (Magalhães et al 2013).The largest sesame producers are India and China, accounting for 70 % of the world production
The Brazilian semi-arid region is characterized by high levels of salts in the soil and water used in irrigation, which may originate from the soil source material, due to inadequate and excessive use of irrigation and mineral fertilizers, inefficient drainage and environmental conditions, which directly affect the yield of crops, resulting in losses in the production quality and quantity (Gondim et al 2010, Pedrotti et al 2015)
This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) produced under levels of soil salinity

Summary

Introduction

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops cultivated, with a great adaptability to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian Northeast semi-arid region, where it is produced by family farmers and plays a social role in the generation of income and employment, constituting an alternative of exploitation (Magalhães et al 2013).The largest sesame producers are India and China, accounting for 70 % of the world production. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops cultivated, with a great adaptability to the climatic conditions of the Brazilian Northeast semi-arid region, where it is produced by family farmers and plays a social role in the generation of income and employment, constituting an alternative of exploitation (Magalhães et al 2013). The Brazilian semi-arid region is characterized by high levels of salts in the soil and water used in irrigation, which may originate from the soil source material, due to inadequate and excessive use of irrigation and mineral fertilizers, inefficient drainage and environmental conditions (low rainfall and high evapotranspiration), which directly affect the yield of crops, resulting in losses in the production quality and quantity (Gondim et al 2010, Pedrotti et al 2015). Environmental conditions and techniques adopted during the production of seeds may influence their physiological quality, and their vigor may or may not be affected more intensely (Marcos Filho 2013), especially if subjected to stress conditions

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Results