Response of summer sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) to different spacings and levels of nitrogen under north Gujarat condition.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during 2011 on response of summer sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) to different spacings and levels of nitrogen under north Gujarat condition. Spacing of 60 cm showed its superiority by producing highest seed (569 kg ha-1) and stalk yields (1977 kg ha-1). The same treatment exhibited significant improvement by recording maximum values for the growth and yield parameters viz., number of branches plant-1, dry matter production plant-1, number of capsules plant-1 and seed yield plant-1 but plant population and plant height was lower at 60 cm. With regard to N content in seeds and stalk as well as N, P and K uptake by seeds, stalk and total, 60 cm spacing, surpassed rest of the treatments bearing maximum values. Application of nitrogen @ 75 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher seed (630 kg ha-1) and stalk yields (2119 kg ha-1) over 0, 25 and 50 kg N ha-1 and significantly improved growth and yield attributing characters viz., plant height, number of branches plant-1, dry matter production plant-1, number of capsules plant-1, seed yield plant-1 and 1000 seed weight. Application of nitrogen @ 75 kg ha-1 significantly improved N, P and K content (seeds and stalk) and uptake (seeds, stalk and total). Treatment combination 60 cm spacing and 75 kg N ha-1 bearing maximum values of all these parameters ranked at top. Maximum net realization of Rs. 35069 ha-1 and BCR 2.47 was noted under 60 cm spacing. Similarly the respective figures were maximum (Rs. 40795 ha-1 and 2.68) when crop was fertilized with 75 kg N ha-1. Experimentation showed that for securing higher yield as well as net realization, summer sesamum should be sown at 60 cm spacing and fertilized with 75 kg N ha-1 along with 25 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 kg S ha-1.