Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production (Dec 2017)
Yield and Yield Components of Sesame Influenced by Chemical and Biological Fertilizers and Irrigation Levels
Abstract
In order to evaluate the effect of chemical and biological fertilizers and irrigation regimes on yield and yield components of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)a field experiment was performed using a split plot experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications at Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during growing season of 2013 and 2014. Main plots were three levels of irrigation (%100, %75 and %50 of sesame water requirement) and sub plots were eight different biological and chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, nitrogen + phosphorus, nitroxin, biophosphore, nitroxin+biophosphore, biosulfure and control). Results showed that for all fertilizer and biofertilizer treatments reduction in irrigation levels was the major factor in reduction of yield and yield components. Under stress free conditions (100 percent of sesame irrigation requirement), chemical fertilizer exhibited more yield and yield components than biofertilizers. According to the results in 100% irrigation treatments, the highest plant height, number of seed in capsule, 1000 seed weight and capsule in plant resulted from nitrogen+phosphoruse and nitrogen. In general, biofertilizers particularly nitroxin and nitroxin+biophosphre inoculation, improved plant height, seed yield, yield components of sesame, under 50% water requirement supply, the same as or better than chemical fertilizers.Recent study showed significant correlation of yield components (seed number in capsule, 1000 seed weight and capsule in plant) with yield. In stress free conditions (100% irrigation) highest grain yield resulted from nitrogen+phosphoruse (3.14 ton.ha-1) and nitrogen (2.99 ton.ha-1) in 2013 and 2014 respectively. In stressful conditions (50% irrigation) highest grain yield (2.42 and 2.31 ton.ha-1) were obtained from nitroxin and biosulfure in 2013 and 2014 respectively.It can be concluded that application of biofertilizers provide a most desirable solution to drought stress conditions.
