Determination of Optimum Inter-Row Spacing and Phosphorus Level for Sesame Production (Sesamum indicum L) Under Irrigation at Arbaminch Zurya District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Field trial was conducted in Arbaminch University Teaching and Research Farm from November2016 to March 2017 with the objective of determining optimum inter-row spacing and phosphorus level for sesame production under irrigation condition. The treatments comprised four inter-row spacings (30, 40, 50 and 60 cm) and four phosphorus levels (0, 10, 20, 30 kg/ha^-1). A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Plots treated with 30 kg P ha^-1 produced maximum, yield of straw (2.15 tonha^-1),seed (0.64 tonha^-1) and  biomass (2.79 tonha^-1) while the  control plots produced the smallest yield of straw (1.56 tonha^-1), seed (0.41 tone ha^-1) and biomass (1.97 tonha^-1). Grain yield was linearly related to increasing rates of phosphorus application while no further significant advantage was obtained for total biomass above the 20 kg ha^-1 rate. Inter- row spacing of 30 cm gave maximum plant height (162.75 cm), straw yield (2.99 toneha^-1), seed yield (0.65 toneha^-1) and biological yield (2.95 tonha^-1).On the other hand, plants grown at 60 cm row spacing resulted in the highest branch per plant (11.7), number of capsule per plant (76.67) and harvest index (23 %)as compared to the other row spacings. Hence, application of Phosphorus at the rate of 30 kg ha^-1 with an inter-row spacing 30cm could improve yield and yield components of sesame under irrigated condition of Arbaminch surrounding and areas with similar agro-ecological conditions. However, further study with inclusion of greater phosphorus level and narrower inter row spacing could be worthwhile to analyze the response of the crop more and in order to reach at a conclusive recommendation.

Keywords: Sesamum indicum L., Row spacing, Phosphorus levels, Seed yield, Yield components