Growth, Yield and Yield components of Sesame (Sesamumindicum L.) as Influenced by Crop Variety and Different Rates of Herbicides in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of sesame (SesamumindicumL.) using four levels of herbicides (butachlor and diuron) to control weeds. Field trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/Tree Crop Programme (TCP) Farm, Adamawa State University Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design with sesame varieties (Kenana and Muva Local) assigned to the main plot and herbicide levels: Butachlor and diuron ( 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 kg a.i.ha-1) assigned to the sub plot treatment which was replicated three times. Growth and yield performance parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, number of capsules per plant and total yield (kg/ha). Result showed that both kenana and muva local were significantly affected by herbicide levels in terms of plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, number of capsules per plant and the total yield.Kenana variety showed superior performance in terms of yield over Muva Local. Application of butachlor at the doses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 kg a.i.ha-1 decreased weeds infestation up to 6WAS compared to the unweeded check and was at par with the hoe – weeded check, but inferior performance to the hoe-weeded check in 2011and combined analysis. Diurons at 1.0-2.0 kg a.i.ha-1 suppressed weed infestation up to 9WAS compared to the unweeded and were at par with the hoe-weeded treatment. Among the herbicides butachlor at 1.0 kg a.i.ha-1 and diuron 0.5 kg a.i.ha-1 produced comparable grain yield to the hoe-weeded treatment in the two seasons and the combined analysis. It is recommended that kenana variety and butachlor at 1.0 kg a.i.ha-1 and diuron 0.5 kg a.i.ha-1should be used by farmers for effective weed control and increased yield.