Effect of Planting Density and Integrated Nutrient Management in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Background: Sesamum indicum L. is a tropical and subtropical plant cultivated for seed purpose, which yields about 50% high quality edible oil with 65% of the seeds being used for oil extraction and 35% for consumption purpose. The seeds have outstanding amounts of oil and consists of extensive root system that makes it very tolerant of drought. Methods: A field experiment entitled “Effect of planting density and integrated nutrient management in sesame” was carried out at the Agronomy Research Farm of School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, during Kharif season of 2017-18. Nine treatment combinations consisting of three level of planting density i.e., T, (20 cm x 10 cm), T2 (30 cm x 10 cm) and T3 (40 cm x 10 cm) along with three levels of nutrient management practices i.e., N, (100% RDF), N2 (75% RDF + 25% FYM) and N3 (75% RDF + 25% poultry manure) were tried in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Conclusion: Among the different planting density and nutrient management practices, combined effect of 20 cm x 10 cm planting density with 75% RDF + 25% FYM nutrient recorded highest growth attributes viz., plant height (cm), number of leaves plant-1, number of branches plant-1 and yield attributes viz., number of capsules plant-1, seed yield (kg ha-1) and stover yield (kg ha-1). However, the highest net return ('16687.66) and B:C ratio (1.13) was obtained from the treatment combination of 40 cm x 10 cm planting density along with combination of 75% RDF + 25% poultry manure. Hence, the combined application of manures with inorganic source of nutrients with reduced planting density recorded higher growth and yield attributes thereby resulting higher economic return than the application of RDF alone.