Growth Of Sesame Research Articles

Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Sesame Seedlings with Gibberellin-Producing Rhodobacter sphaeroides SIR03 and Biochar

The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with biochar is apprised to be a promising bio-fertilizer for improving the soil fertility and plant growth and development. The current study aimed to identify a potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium alongside biochar to improve sesame seedling productivity. Our results revealed that among the nine isolates, SIR01, SIR03, and SIR07 significantly improved the growth and biomass of sesame and Waito-C rice seedlings. The increase in growth of Waito-C rice seedlings through isolate SIR01, SIR03, and SIR07, suggests their ability to produce phytohormones such as GA4, GA9, GA24, and GA34. Furthermore, the application of isolate SIR03 and biochar together revealed a synergistic increase in sesame seedling growth and biomass (fresh and dry weight) compared with their individual applications. This may be explained by enhancement of photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate by the combined SIR03 and biochar treatment. This suggests that co-inoculation with SIR03 alongside the application of biochar can be considered an eco-friendly, low-cost bio-fertilizer to potentially improve sesame seedling growth and development.

Crop Cultivation Underneath Agro-Photovoltaic Systems and Its Effects on Crop Growth, Yield, and Photosynthetic Efficiency

Agro-photovoltaics (APV) could be the optimal means of sustainable development in agricultural areas once a few challenges are overcome, perhaps the greatest of which is the constant shading from AVP structures. This study examined how the growth and yield of rice, potato, sesame, and soybean crops could be optimized when grown underneath different APV systems. The solar radiation, shading levels, and temperatures during crop cultivation were measured. In addition, the photosynthetic efficiency was measured at different growth stages. Adjacent to the APV systems were the control plots with full sun. In these studies with potato crops grown under APV systems, most growth and yield parameters were similar to those grown in the control plot except for the plant height. On the other hand, sesame crops grown underneath the APV systems had a lower stem length, effective branching number, 1000 seed weight, and a reduced yield of 19% compared to the crops from the control plot. In two distant locations (Paju and Youngkwang), soybean crops grown underneath APV systems at both sites showed increased ungrained ratios per pod and a reduced yield of 18–20% compared to the control plot. Finally, rice crops cultivated underneath the APV systems had a lower panicle number per hill, spikelet number per panicle, 1000 seed weight, and yield reduction of 13–30% compared to the control plot. Overall, crops grown underneath the APV systems had a greater plant height and stem length. Moreover, the solar radiation and PAR underneath the APV systems were also lower than in the control plots. The photosynthetic efficacy in rice plants grown underneath the APV systems was lower than in the control plots. The photosynthetic efficacy may help lower the crop yield when cultivation is underneath an APV system.

Modeling the response of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) growth and development to climate change under deficit irrigation in a semi-arid region

The future climate outlook was based on a combination of CCMs based on three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios including RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for the future period of 2021–2051. The results showed an increase of the average Tmax in June, July and August (averaged by 1.8°C compared to the observed period) and a decrease in rainfall in May to September (averaged by 30.76 mm compared to the observed period under all three scenarios. Estimation of phenological stages of sesame under different scenarios showed that with increasing Tmax in April and May, the beginning of flowering, grain filling and physiological maturity was accelerated, also with increasing temperature from June to August the duration of the phenological stages was decreased. The effect of deficit irrigation (DI, supplying of 50% plant water requirement) on sesame phenological stages was not significantly different from full irrigation (FI). Simulation of canopy cover evolution (CC) and dry matter accumulation using the AquaCrop model revealed that the length of the late-season and the mid-season stages, have the greatest liability to be changed under the future climate change. Under the studied scenarios, the beginning of sesame growing season will accelerate from 9 to 11 days, which makes possible delayed sowing of sesame. The average of biomass (B) produced under three scenarios in DI and FI conditions were 17920 and 17241 kg ha-1, and the average of grain yield (GY) was 2905 and 3429 kg ha-1, respectively, which shows an increase by 31.5% and 28.7% of B, 18.4% and 39.5% of GY, compared to the observations (year 2016). The results revealed that under the future climate (except for RCP8 scenario), DI strategy can be used without reducing the GY of sesame due to the very little reduction (1.2%) in GY under DI compared to FI.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Nitrogen Fixing Endophytic Bacteria Supplementation on Soil Fertility, N Uptake, Growth, and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivated on Alluvial Soil in Dykes

The aim of this study was to determine the proper combination of nitrogen (N) fertilizer level and nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria (NFEB) supplementation for the maximum grain yield of sesame cultivated in alluvial soil in dykes. The experiment followed a completely randomized block design with two factors. The first one was the levels of N fertilizer used, including 0, 50, 75, and 100% N of recommended fertilizer formula (RFF), and the other consisted of no bacteria applied, an individual strain of Enterobacter cloacae ASD-48 or E. cloacae ASD-21 applied, and their mixture, with 5 replicates. The results revealed that fertilizing with 100% N of RFF led to an enhancement of the plant height (16.8 cm), the chlorophyll a and b and their total content (6.45, 1.86, and 8.30 μg mL−1), the number of capsules per plant (7.22 capsules plant−1), the total N uptake (126.5 mg N pot−1), and the grain yield (9.08 g pot−1), in comparison to no N fertilizer applied. Supplementation of two NFRB strains enhanced the soilconcentrations of NH4+ and NO3−, the total N uptake, and the grain yield. The treatment fertilized with 75% N of RFF plus an individual NFEB strain or their bacterial mixture had equivalent total N uptake to that the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF had, 120.8–125.5 mg N pot−1 compared to 124.4 mg N pot−1. Regarding the sesame yield, with a reduction by 25–50% N of RFF plus ASD-48 and ASD-21, either individually or in mixture, it increased by 2.39–8.56%, compared to that in the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF.

EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER AND SOWING METHODS ON YIELD OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum L.) VARIETIES IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Field experiment was conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching and Research farm, Bauchi in 2018, 2019 and 2020 rainy seasons to study effect of nitrogen fertilizer and sowing method on growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties. The treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha), three sowing methods (dibbling, drilling and broadcasting) and two varieties of sesame (Ex-Sudan 1 and NCRI BEN 01M). The experiment was factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated three times. The result of the experiment revealed that, nitrogen fertilizer had significant (P≤0.05) effect on yield characters of sesame. Application of nitrogen fertilizer at 60kg/ha significantly (P≤0.05) increased number of flowers, total ash, crude fibre, crude protein, ether extract, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule and yield/hectare in the 3-year study. It was also observed that, sowing method had significant (P≤0.05) influence on the performance of the crop. Dibbling method of sowing significantly (P≤0.05) produced higher number of flowers, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule and yield/hectare than the other two sowing methods. Studies carried out during the 3 years investigation revealed that 2020 rainy season produced significantly (P≤0.05) higher numbers of flowers, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule and grain yield/hectare than 2018 and 2019 seasons. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the application of 60kg N/ha and dibbling method of planting can be adopted by farmers in the study area for optimum yield.

Growth and productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as influenced by spacing and nitrogen levels

India is a leading producer of oilseeds and importer of vegetable oil in the world. To ensure self-sufficiency in oilseeds production, the country needs to enhance production and productivity through adoption of improved technologies. Among different edible oilseeds, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) grows well during different seasons under various cropping systems and the productivity can be increased by efficient nutrient management and plant stand. Based on the above facts, a field trial was conducted during summer season of 2021 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha by adopting split plot design comprising of three main factors as spacing (30 cmx 15 cm, 40 cmx 15 cm and 50 cmx 15 cm) and four sub factors as nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha). The branches/plant (4.2), capsules/plant (31.8), number of seeds/capsule (38.1), and 1000-seed weight (2.60g) were more with wider spacing of 50 x 15 cm and it was closely followed by 40 cm x 15 cm and, both the treatments were significantly superior to a closer spacing of 30 cm x 15 cm. However, the maximum seed, stover and biological yields of sesame were realized with a spacing of 40 cm x 15 cm (481, 2261 and 2742 kg/ha) and it was because of optimum spacing with the treatment. Among different nitrogen levels, 90 kg N/ha resulted in superior performance in expression of various growth and yield attributes and seed (525 kg/ha), stover (2372 kg/ha) and biological yields (2898 kg/ha) than other levels. The interaction effect indicated that a spacing of 40 cm x 15 cm along with 90 kg N/ha resulted in seed (619 kg/ha), stover (2756 kg/ha) and biological yields (3375 kg/ha) of sesame. The experiment concluded that to obtain higher growth and productivity of sesame, the spacing of 40 cm x 15 cm can be adopted along with 90 kg N/ha.

Impact of phosphorus and sulphur levels on growth and productivity of summer sesame

India imports edible vegetable oil to fulfil the domestic requirement and there is a need for enhancement of productivity of oilseeds in the country. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), a short duration oilseed, grows well during different seasons under various cropping systems. The average productivity of sesame in India is low and that can be increased by efficient nutrient management. Based on the above facts, a field trial was conducted during summer season of 2021 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design comprising of four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90 kg P2O5/ha) and three levels of sulphur (0, 20, 40 kg S/ha), with three replications. The sesame variety YLM17 was sown on 25th February 2021. The results revealed that the application of 60 kg P2O5/ha registered significantly more growth attributes, namely, plant height (113.8 cm), dry matter accumulation (2899 g/m2) and leaf area index (1.46) than other treatments. Similarly, the treatment being statistically at par with 90 kg P2O5/ha recorded superior yield attributes over other treatments. The seed yield (770 kg/ha), stover yield (2126 kg/ha), oil content (43.7%) and oil yield (336 kg/ha) of summer sesame was more with 60 kg P2O5/ha, but it was statistically at par with 90 kg P2O5/ha. However, 40 kg S/ha registered significantly higher values of growth and yield attributes, seed yield (673 kg/ha), stover yield (1779 kg/ha), oil content (41.5%) and oil yield (282 kg/ha) of sesame. The experiment concludes that the summer sesame can be grown in south Odisha conditions with the application of 60 kg phosphate and 40 kg sulphur per hectare to obtain higher growth and productivity.

Spectral Reflectance Indices as a High Throughput Selection Tool in a Sesame Breeding Scheme

On-farm genotype screening is at the core of every breeding scheme, but it comes with a high cost and often high degree of uncertainty. Phenomics is a new approach by plant breeders, who use optical sensors for accurate germplasm phenotyping, selection and enhancement of the genetic gain. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a high-throughput phenotyping workflow to estimate the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Red Edge index (NDRE) at the plot-level through an active crop canopy sensor; (2) test the ability of spectral reflectance indices (SRIs) to distinguish between sesame genotypes throughout the crop growth period; and (3) identify specific stages in the sesame growth cycle that contribute to phenotyping accuracy and functionality and evaluate the efficiency of SRIs as a selection tool. A diversity panel of 24 sesame genotypes was grown at normal and late planting dates in 2020 and 2021. To determine the SRIs the Crop Circle ACS-430 active crop canopy sensor was used from the beginning of the sesame reproductive stage to the end of the ripening stage. NDVI and NDRE reached about the same high accuracy in genotype phenotyping, even under dense biomass conditions where “saturation” problems were expected. NDVI produced higher broad-sense heritability (max 0.928) and NDRE higher phenotypic and genotypic correlation with the yield (max 0.593 and 0.748, respectively). NDRE had the highest relative efficiency (61%) as an indirect selection index to yield direct selection. Both SRIs had optimal results when the monitoring took place at the end of the reproductive stage and the beginning of the ripening stage. Thus, an active canopy sensor as this study demonstrated can assist breeders to differentiate and classify sesame genotypes.

Blended NPSB fertilizer rates effect on growth, yield and yield components of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties at konso, Southern Ethiopia

Sesame is an important cash and food oil crop cultivated in low lands of Ethiopia. However, sesame productivity was constrained due to declining soil fertility, inadequate extension and demonstration of improved high yielding varieties. Thus, response of sesame varieties to rates of blended NPSB fertilizer was studied at Konso, Southern Ethiopia, during 2019/2020 cropping season to determine sesame varieties and blended NPSB fertilizer rate on growth, yield, and yield components. The experiment consisted of three sesame varieties and five blended NPSB fertilizer rates laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results of analysis showed that days to crop phenology, growth, seed yield and oil content variables were significantly (p˂0.05) affected due to sesame varieties and blended NPSB fertilizer rates. Variety Setit-2 showed maximum plant height (153.83cm), number of nods plant-1 (31), number of branches plant-1 (8), number of capsules plant-1 (129), number of seeds capsule-1 (67) and 1000 seed weight (3.52g). Maximum number of days to 50% flowering (54), days to physiological maturity (93), plant height (146.17cm) and oil content (58.51%) were recorded at 200 kg ha-1 blended NPSB fertilizer. High nods plant-1 (32), number of branches plant-1 (8), number of capsules plant-1 (141), number of seeds capsule-1 (68) and thousand seed weight (3.87g) were recorded at 100 kg ha-1 blended NPSB fertilizer. The highest above ground dry biomass (4298.96 kg ha-1), harvest index (25.6%), seed yield (1099.33 kg ha-1) and oil yield (616.16 kg ha-1) recorded from variety Setit-2 when combined with 100kg ha-1blended NPSB fertilizer. Thus, blended fertilizer at rate of 100kg NPSB ha-1 and Setit-2 were suggested for sesame production the study area.

Effects of glutathione on waterlogging-induced damage in sesame crop

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is an important oil crop, occupying the seventh position in the edible oil industry; however, it is relatively sensitive to waterlogging (WL) stress. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is known to have mitigating effects against various abiotic stresses in plants; however, its exploration to improve WL tolerance in sesame is still elusive. In this study, we investigated the multiple effects of exogenously applied GSH in sesame plants subjected to WL for 3 days. Our results showed improvement in growth and biomass production of GSH-sprayed waterlogged sesame when compared with WL-stressed counterpart alone. The improved performance of GSH-sprayed WL-stressed plants was supported by the increased leaf area, the levels of photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange attributes, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Exogenous GSH treatment significantly increased the levels of total soluble sugars and total free amino acids in the leaves of sesame plants for the improvement of water balance under WL conditions. Accumulations of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, enhancement of malondialdehyde level, and electrolyte leakage in sesame leaves indicated evident oxidative damage induced by WL. On the other hand, exogenous GSH application diminished oxidative stress by enhancing the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase, as well as total flavonoid and GSH levels in the leaf tissues. Furthermore, GSH supplementation to WL plants increased the transcript levels of numerous antioxidant defense-related genes, such as SiCAT1, SiCATX1, SiAPX3, SiPOD40, SiPOD44, SiGPX4, SiPHGPX1, SiGSTU23, and SiGSTU25 in shoots, corresponding to enhanced activities of respective antioxidant enzymes. Our results highlight the potential roles of GSH in modulating adaptive mechanisms of sesame plants for reduction of WL-induced damage, and this GSH-mediated effective strategy could be implemented at the field level to sustain sesame production under WL conditions.

Effect of Boron and Bio-fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2021 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The experimental soil used in this experiment was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), low in organic carbon (0.36 %), available N (171.48 kg/ha), available P (15.2 kg/ha) and available K (232.5 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments each replicated three times on the basis of one year experimentation. The treatments which were Control (RDF), 2.5 kg B/ha + PSB, 2.5 kg B/ha + Azotobacter, 2.5 kg B/ha + PSB + Azotobacter, 5.0 kg B/ha + PSB, 5.0 kg B/ha + Azotobacter, 5.0 kg B/ha + PSB + Azotobacter, 7.5 kg B/ha + PSB, 7.5 kg B/ha + Azotobacter and 7.5 kg B/ha + PSB + Azotobacter are used. The results showed that application of 7.5 kg B/ha + PSB + Azotobacter showed significantly higher plant height (85.36 cm), No. of Branches/plant (6.57), Plant dry weight (19.53 g/plant), Crop growth rate (20.89 g/m2/day), capsules/plant (52.57), Seeds/capsule (62.60), Test weight (3.38 g), Seed yield (1.1635 t/ha), Stover yield (3.3819 t/ha), Biological yield (4.5556 t/ha), gross returns (Rs.79723.65/ha), net return (Rs.52849.25/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.96) as compared to other treatments. Therefore, treatment with application of 7.5 B/ha along with PSB 10 g/kg seeds and Azotobacter 10 g/kg seeds was more productive and can be recommended to farmers after further trials.

Studies on Yield and Economics of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as Influenced by Spacing and Foliar Application of Zinc

Background: Sesame plants thrive in hot, dry weather. It is widely naturalized in tropical regions around the world and is cultivated for its edible seeds. The oil content of the seed is inversely proportional to its protein content. Most commercial cultivars of sesame are intolerant of water-logging.
 The objective of the present experiment was to analyze the influence of spacing and application of zinc using foliar method on growth, yield and economics of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) during kharif season of 2021. The experiment was designed with varying combination of spacing and zinc using the Randomized Block Design which produced nine treatments with three replicates each. The treartment combinations are T1 – 25 cm X 15 cm + 0.25% ZnSO4, T2 – 25 cm X 15 cm + 0.50% ZnSO4, T3- 25 cm X 15 cm + 0.75% ZnSO4, T4- 35 cm X 15 cm + 0.25% ZnSO4, T5 – 35 cm X 15 cm + 0.50% ZnSO4, T6 – 35 cm X 15 cm + 0.75% ZnSO4, T7- 40 cm X 10 cm + 0.25% ZnSO4, T8- 40 cm X 10 cm + 0.50% ZnSO4, T9 – 40 cm X 10 cm + 0.75% ZnSO4. The combination, T9 with spacing 40 X 10 cm and 0.75% ZnSo4 recorded maximum number of capsules per plant (54.60), number of seeds per capsule (60.50), seed yield (1.20 t/ha), harvest index (31.89 %). The application of treatment T9 40 cm X 10 cm + 0.75% ZnSO4 recorded higher net return (52,016.00 INR/ha), gross return (78,217.00 INR/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.99) as well.
 Conclusion: 40 cm X 10 cm + ZnSo4 – 0.75 %, had the highest results for yield characteristics such has grain yield (1.20 t/ha), gross return (78,217.00 INR/ha), net return (52,016.00 INR/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.99).

Growth and Tolerance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties to Pre and Postemergence Graminicides

The use of herbicides for weed control in arable crop production is known to be fast and effective. However, there is paucity of information on the safety of commonly used grass herbicides on emergence, growth, and productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes currently being grown in Zimbabwe. A study was carried out in Zimbabwe during the 2017/18 cropping season in Gokwe South to evaluate the effect of alachlor, metolachlor, propaquizafop, and fluazifop-p-butyl on seed germination, growth, and yield of three sesame genotypes, namely, IETC, Lind 02, and Ziada 94. A laboratory experiment was laid in a completely randomised design with genotype and herbicide type as the factors. Seed germination, radicle, and plumule length were recorded at the end of the experiment. In the pot studies, two separate experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of pre and postemergence herbicides on 50% emergence, plant height, number of branches, 50% flowering, number of pods, and yield of three sesame genotypes. The laboratory experiment results revealed significant ( p < 0.05 ) interactions among varieties and preemergence graminicides for germination percentage, radicle length, plumule length, and germination vigor index. Alachlor and metolachlor differentially reduced all germination parameters in the sesame genotypes used in the study. In the preemergence pot studies, there were significant ( p < 0.05 ) interactions on 50% emergence, plant height, and number of branches but not on number of pods and yield. Metolachlor significantly reduced all the measured parameters in IETC and Ziada 94. In the postemergence pot study, propaquizafop significantly ( p < 0.05 ) reduced plant height, number of pods, and yield of sesame more than fluazifop-p-butyl and hand pulling. It can be concluded that metolachlor and propaquizafop are not safe for use in these sesame genotypes at dosage rates that were used in this study. There is need for further screening of more sesame genotypes for tolerance to these and other commonly used genotypes to avoid unintentional phytotoxic damage on sesame.

Influence of farm yard manure and N-levels on the growth, yield characters and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Field experiment was conducted at the Kogi State University Research and Demonstration Farm Anyigba, (Lat 7° 291 and Long 70 111E). Anyigba lies in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological Zone. This experiment was conducted during the raining season of 2021 to evaluate the effect of Farm Yard Manure and Nitrogen levels on the growth, yield characters and seed yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Treatments consisted of three levels of Farm Yard Manure (0 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1, 10 tonsha-1and 15 t ha-1) respectively and Nitrogen fertilizer rates (0 tons Nha-1, 0.02 t N ha-1, 0.04 t N ha-1and 0.06 t N ha-1) respectively. Factorial combination of treatments gave a total number of 16 treatments which was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. 48 plots were obtained in total. Results showed that application of Farm Yard Manure did not influence (p≥0.05) all parameters studied in the experiment except dry weight/plant, plant height and seed yield/ha. Nitrogen application significantly influenced (p≤0.05) plant height and seed yield only. There was no significant interaction observed between Farm Yard Manure and Nitrogen levels in all parameters studied.

Gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, and photochemical efficiency of sesame under salt stress and phosphate fertilization

Salt stress is a threat to irrigated agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions, as it can cause irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus at any stage of plant development, reducing chlorophyll biosynthesis, which compromises the photochemical efficiency and the photosynthetic process of plants. In this respect, phosphorus fertilization stands out as an alternative to mitigate the effects of salt stress on plants. Therefore, the present study investigated the growth, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, and photochemical efficiency of sesame cv. BRS Seda irrigated with saline water and fertilized with phosphorus. The experiment was carried out in pots adapted as lysimeters in a greenhouse in Pombal - PB, Brazil. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks and analyzed in a 5 × 4 factorial arrangement with five levels of electrical conductivity of water (ECw: 0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1) and four phosphorus rates (40, 70, 100, and 130% of the recommended dose for pot trials), in three replicates. The 100% recommendation consisted of applying 300 mg P2O5 kg-1 of soil. Sesame growth, chloroplast pigments, and gas exchange decreased with water salinity above 0.3 dS m-1. The application of 100 and 130% of the recommended phosphorus rate minimized the effects of salt stress on CO2 assimilation rate and photosynthetic pigment synthesis. The increase from 40 to 130% of the recommended phosphorus rate did not change the photochemical efficiency of sesame cv. BRS Seda at 60 days after sowing.

Effect of Sorghum Mulches on Emergence and Seedling Growth of Beggarticks, Goose Grass, and Sesame

Rotation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) with sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in drought prone areas of Zimbabwe has raised concerns on whether these two crops are compatible in the rotational system. This is because sorghum is known to exhibit strong allelopathic effects on both crop and weed species. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effect of soil incorporated sorghum residues on the emergence and seedling growth of sesame and weeds. The emergence and early seedling growth of sesame and the weed significantlyp<0.05increased with increases in the amount of soil incorporated sorghum residues. Incorporating 27.7 g of the ground sorghum herbage caused a stimulatory effect on the emergence and early seedling growth of the test species. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the presence of 6 probable allelochemicals in sorghum residues, namely, 4-methylaminobutyrate, C16 sphinganine, oleamide, tauroursdeoxycholic acid, pisatin, and anhalonidine. From this study, it can be concluded that dry sorghum residues do not have an inhibitory effect on sesame emergence and growth at mulch rates that retard emergence and growth of weeds.

Foliar application of boron positively affects the growth, yield, and oil content of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of boron (B) to obtain the highest growth, yield, and oil content of black sesame. A field experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with five treatments and five replications. Treatments included foliar application of B at five rates: control, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L−1 at 25 and 35 days after sowing. Results showed that spraying B on leaves increased sesame growth in terms of plant height, number of leaves, and chlorophyll content. Moreover, spraying B increased yield components including the number of pods; the highest pods per plant was 46.2 in the B application treatment with 150 mg L−1 compared to the control with 27.2 pods per plant. The grain yield of the B spray treatment produced 1.10–1.32 t ha−1, with the highest yield at the dose of 150 mg L−1 and the lowest yield at no B spray treatment. Spraying B on leaves at optimal concentration also increased the oil content in seeds up to 5.3% compared to the control treatment. The findings of the study suggest that foliar B application with 150 mg L−1 increases the growth, fruit set, seed yield, and oil content in sesame.

GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM L.) TO BITTER LEAF (VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DEL.) LEAF, STEM AND ROOT AQUEOUS EXTRACTS

This study was carried out to assess the effect of leaf, stem and root aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina on seed germination, growth and yield performance of Sesamum indicum. The aqueous extracts of the three plant parts were applied at concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% to sesame seeds in petri dish and compared with seeds treated with distilled water (control). The percentage of germinated seeds and lengths of radicle and plumule were measure within 10 days of sowing. The different concentrations of leaf, stem and root extracts of Vernonia amygdalina were applied to the seedlings of Sesamum indicum grown in pots and arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Data were obtained for number of germinated seeds, lengths of plumule and radicle while number of leaves, height of plant, stem girth, leaf length and leaf breadth were taken at 2,4, 6 and 8 Weeks After Planting (WAP). All data pooled were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) is used to separate means. Significant reduction in germination percentage of sesame seeds was recorded in sesame grown with 100% concentration of aqueous stem extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (78.33%) which indicates inhibitory effect of the extract at the concentration. 25% aqueous root extracts of Vernonia amygdalina significantly stimulated early growth of the shoot (1.70cm) and root (1.60cm) in sesame seed. In this study, growth and yield of sesame were enhanced by 50% root extract of Vernonia amygdalina. This suggests that intermediate concentrations of

Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Native to Senegal on the Growth and Yield of Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.) Grown Under Glass in Central African Republic

In the natural environment, sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.), like any other crop, is subject to biotic and abiotic stresses. The presence of symbiotic microorganisms in the soil is often beneficial to the crop. Among these, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are particularly effective in stimulating plant growth and it has been well shown that their inoculation into the soil is one of the biological means by which the crop can resist certain stresses and increase productivity. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the comparative effect of mycorrhizal inoculation with strains indigenous to Senegal on the growth and yield of sesame grown under controlled conditions. In this study, sesame was grown under greenhouse conditions and inoculated with four AMF inocula. Growth and yield parameters were evaluated at 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days after sowing. Above-ground, root and total biomass were assessed at 70 days after sowing. The results show an improvement in height by 78.34%, crown diameter by 78.34%, above-ground biomass by 54.83%, root biomass by 54.16% and total biomass by 54.65% compared to the non-inoculated control. Regarding the number of leaves, the difference observed with the control treatment was not significant (P = 0.0005). The frequency and intensity of mycorhization are quite high. Statistical analyses show significant differences (P < 0.05) between the different treatments. It is noted that the roots of the controls are not mycorhized. Similarly, the yield of the inoculated sesame plants resulted in a better improvement in the number of pods (131.25%), average number of seeds per pod (137.03%), seed yield (448.14%) and 1000 seed weight was not improved (0%). From this study, it appears that AMF provide significant benefits to the plant, and can be used in the field to improve sesame growth and yield.

Soil application of organic nano NPK on growth, yield and quality of sesame (&lt;em&gt;Sesamum indicum&lt;/em&gt;) in the Onattukara sandy tracts of Kerala

Soil application of organic nano NPK on growth, yield and quality of sesame (&lt;em&gt;Sesamum indicum&lt;/em&gt;) in the Onattukara sandy tracts of Kerala