Effects of different NPK levels on growth and seed yield of sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L) varieties in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

Sesame is an important oil seed crop which is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics of the world but farmers in the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria seldom apply fertilizers to the crop. Trials were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons at the Research Farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to study the effects of different levels of NPK on the growth and seed yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Bauchi. The experiment was laid out in split plot design consisting of four levels of NPK and 8 varieties of sesame, giving a total of 32 treatment combinations. The varieties were kept in the main plot while NPK levels were assigned to subplots. The parameters assessed include plant height, number of leaves, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, stem diameter, internode length, dry matter, leaf area, days to 75% flowering and maturity, number of capsules, number of seeds per capsule, number of seeds per locule, one thousand seed weight and seed yield. Results showed significant difference (p< 0.05) on growth, yield and yield attributes of sesame in both years. The different grain yield responses were associated with the differences in NPK levels. Sesame seed yield increased linearly from the application of 75 kg NPK ha^-1, 100 kg NPK ha^-1 to 125 kg NPK ha^-1.