Agrotechniques to Enhance Producitivity of Sesame Sesamum indicum L During Kharif and Summer

Abstract

Three field experiments namely response of sesame genotypes (cvs. DS 1, E 8 and newlineDSS 9) to recommended NPK (40: 25: 25 kg ha-1 N, P2O5 and K2O ) and 150 % NPK at four newlineplanting geometries viz., 30 cm X 10 cm, 30 cm X 20 cm, 45 cm X 10 cm and 45 cm X 20 cm, newlineeffect of organics (vermicompost), natural mineral sources (rock phosphate equivalent to newlinerecommended P2O5) alongwith PSB and or gypsum, and response of sesame to integrated newlinenutrient management (NPK + FYM), supply of micronutrients (none, MnSO4, FeSO4, ZnSO4; newlineeach at 5 kg ha-1 and bórax at 10 kg ha-1) and other management practices (nipping after 25 newlinedays, DAP top dressing at 25 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS, planofix at 5 ml 15 l-1 of water, Etheophan at newline50 ppm and Etheophan + planofix ) were conducted for two consecutive years during kharif newline2006 and 2007 and in summer 2007 and 2008 in Zone 8 of Karnataka. newlineDuring kharif, DS 1 receiving 150 % NPK and 30 cm X 10 cm planting geometry recorded newlinesignificantly higher seed yield and net returns (798 kg ha-1and Rs. 20650 ha-1, respectively), newlineDSS 9 was on par. while, traditional cv. E 8 even with 150 % NPK and 45 cm X 10 cm newlinespacing recorded lower seed yield (513 kg ha-1). During summer, DS 1 and E 8 (1200 and newline1164 kg ha-1and Rs.47,980 and Rs. 46,560 ha-1, respectively) were at par while DSS 9 fared newlinepoorly (944 kg ha-1and Rs. 37,760 ha-1, respectively). Further, integrated nutrient newlinemanagement + DAP top dressing (792 kg ha-1 and net returns of Rs. 18,069 ha-1) fared better newlineamong different nutrient management practices including micronutrients and growth newlineregulators, however, in the absence of organics, micronutrients, growth regulators, top newlinedressing or nipping yields were very low (471 kg ha-1). Similar was the trend during newlinesummer. Interestingly, supply of nutrients through organics i.e. through vermicompost, rock newlinephosphate, PSB and gypsum were not comparable to RDN through chemical fertilizers in newlineyield and net returns even when N supply through organics was increased to 150 % of RDN. newlineVermicompost equal to half the RDN alone or with rock ph