The effects of zinc biofortification of seeds and NPK fertilizer application on the growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Soils of the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria are inherently infertile due to shortened fallow period and the continuous use of inorganic fertilizer which depletes the soil of micronutrients such as zinc over time. A field trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of zinc and NPK fertilizer on the growth, yield and zinc concentration of seeds of sesame. The experiment was laid out as a factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated thrice. The treatment consisted of four levels of ZnSO4 (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha-1) and four levels of NPK 15:15:15 (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using new Duncan multiple range test at 5 % level of probability. Results obtained showed significant effects of Zn and NPK rates on plant height, number of leaves, yield per plot and yield per hectare. The application of 15 kg ha-1 Zn and 300 kg ha-1 (15:15:15) NPK resulted in high yield and high zinc content of seeds.