Response of Sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars Under Varying Levels of Fertilizers Under Rainfed Conditions

Factorial randomized black design was laid out with twelve treatment combinations, formed due to four levels of fertilizer (0,12.5+6,25+12.5 and 37.5+18.5 N+p₂0₅ kg/ha), three varieties (Tapi (JLT-7), Phule Til-1and Hawari) and replicated three times. Amongst the three varieties studied, the mean values for height, spread of plant, number of functional leaves were more in the variety Phule Til-1 at 60 days. The total dry matter accumulation per plant, straw yield, straw to grain ratio were also more in Phule Til-1. The number of capsules, branches per plant, number of seeds per capsule, thousand grain weight, grain to empty capsule ratio and harvest index were significantly more in variety Tapi (JLT-7). Due to expressions of higher order for yield contributing characters, the variety Tapi (JLT-7) produced significantly more grain yield and oil yield. The protein content in the varieties was found to be non-significant. The variety Hawari is early type and required less days for maturity as compared to the rest of the varieties. The growth attributes viz., plant height, spread number of functional leaves and dry matter accumulation per plant were influenced by different fertilizer levels. The values of the yield attributes viz., number of capsules, grain weight per plant and thousand grain weight were increased with every successive increased level of fertilizer and was maximum with 37.5 kg N+18.5 kg P₂O₅ ha. The grain (9.93 q/ha), straw (20.97 q/ha) and oil (4.68 q/ha) yields obtained due to the application of 37.5 kg N+18.5 kg P₂O₅/ha were the highest and significantly more than the rest of the lower levels.