Performance of sesame under NPK fertilization in the southern guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.

Abstract

The role of primary macronutrients in the nutrition of Sesame plant (Sesame indicum. L) cannot be over emphasize. These three primary nutrient elements, nitrogen, (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) play vital role in several physiological and biochemical processes in crop plants. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the role and effects of these nutrients in sesame plant at National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, southern guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to evaluate; the effects of NPK fertilization on the performance and growth parameters of sesame. The treatments were 0N, 0P, 0K, 60N, 30P, 30K kg ha^-1 (recommended rate), 60N, 0P, 0K kg ha, ^-1 60N ,30P ,0K kg ha^-1 60N, 0P, 30K kg ha^-1 0N, 30P, 0K kg ha^-1 0N,30P,30k kg ha^-1 0N,0P,30k kg ha^-1. The experimental layout was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The application of the primary nutrients enhances the growth and yields of the plant, but reduces the maturity period. The highest grain yield of 3,893 kgha^-1 was obtained from the treatment with 60N,0P,30K kgha^-1 which was significantly different from that of the other treatments. The lowest grain yield of 1,546 kgha^-1 which was significantly lower than that of the other treatments was recorded for the control.