Effect of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Kismat Fultola village of Batiaghata upazila under Khulna district during Kharif-I (March-June) season, 2005 to evaluate the yield potential of a local variety of sesame under different nitrogen (N) levels. Four nitrogen levels viz. 0 kg N ha⁻¹, 50 kg N ha⁻¹, 100 kg N ha⁻¹ and 150 kg N ha⁻¹ were used as treatment variables in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Plant height, number of branches plant⁻¹, dry matter plant⁻¹, number of leaves plant⁻¹, number of capsules plant⁻¹, length of capsule, number of seeds capsule⁻¹, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index were recorded from each replicated plot. Although plant height, branches plant⁻¹, capsules plant⁻¹, seeds capsule⁻¹, leaf plant⁻¹ and yield showed positive response to nitrogen application; but capsule length and diameter and 1000-seed weight were not significantly affected. Almost all the yield parameters were found maximum at 150 kg N ha⁻¹ except capsule diameter and 1000-seed weight and the lowest in the control treatment (T₁). It was also revealed that application of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ increased seed yield by 77% over the control. Higher dose of nitrogen enhanced the vegetative growth and development of yield attributes as indicated by higher dry matter production. Seed yield was well correlated to branch number, capsule number and harvest index.