Growth and Oil Yield of Sesame as Influenced by Sulphur and Nitrogen

According to cropping system of Pakistan, sesame crop response to nutrient management (nitrogen and sulfur) need to be optimized for successful farming and good cost of production. A field trial was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during summer 2017 with the objective to find out the effect of different nitrogen and sulfur levels, (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha-1), (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-1) respectively on oil and grain yield of black sesame seeds. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Urea and Ammonium sulfate was applied as source for nitrogen and sulfur respectively. The results showed that days to emergence were not significantly affected by nitrogen and sulfur application. The application of nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg ha-1 produced maximum number of branches plant-1 (13), number of capsules plant-1 (82), seed yield (899 kg ha-1), biological yield (4084 kg ha-1), oil content (46.21%) and oil yield (423 kg ha-1) with taller plants (179.56 cm). Sulfur applied at the rate of 40 kg ha-1 maintained higher plant height (183.14 cm), number of branches plant-1 (13), number of capsules plant-1 (85), seed yield (876 kg ha-1), biological yield (4069 kg ha-1), oil content (48.28%) and oil yield (419 kg ha-1). It is concluded that application of nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg ha-1 and sulfur at the rate of 40 kg ha-1 produced higher oil and seed yield of sesame and thus recommended for general cultivation.