Sowing Dates and Nitrogen Levels Effect on Morpo-Phenological Traits of Sesame Cultivars

Abstract

Field experiment entitled “Sowing dates and nitrogen levels effect on morpo-phenological traits of sesame cultivars” was conducted at New Developmental Farm The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during kharif 2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having four replications. Sowing dates (20^th June, 10^th and 30^th July) and sesame cultivars (local black and local white) were allotted to main plots, while nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^-1) to sub plots. Plants sown on 20^th June had significantly delayed flowering (52 days), days to maturity (105), improved plant height (197 cm), branches plant^-1(15), capsule length (2.78 cm) and biological yield (7453 kg ha^-1) as compared with other sowing dates. Sesame local black cultivar had significantly more branches plant^-1(14), and biological yield (4993 kg ha^-1) but its capsule length and days to maturity were significantly lower from local white cultivar. Plots treated with 120 kg N ha^-1 produced maximum days to first flowering (50), plant height (178cm), branches plant^-1(18), days to maturity (104), capsule length (2.96 cm) and biological yield (6184 kg ha^-1). The interaction between sowing dates, nitrogen level and sesame cultivars indicated that crop sown on 20^th June with local black cultivar and treated with 120 kg N ha^-1 had maximum plant height, day to maturity and biological yield. Hence local black cultivar sown on 20^th June and treated with 120 kg N ha^-1 produced the best results in terms of plant height, branches plant^-1 and biological yield.

Key Words: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), sowing dates, nitrogen levels, sesame cultivars, phenology, morphology