Effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and zinc sulphate on growth and yield of summer sesame

Introduction

Sesame [Sesamum indicum Linn (Pedaliaceae)] is known as "Queen of oilseed crops" by virtue of excellent quantity of oil and its use in domestic purpose. It is one of the most important ancient edible crops grown next to groundnut & rapeseed-mustard. This crop is probably the most ancient oilseeds known and grown by man. Oilseed crop include large variety of plants which are cultivated primarily for production of oil. Besides providing oil, they are also good source of fat and form highly nutritious human food. Archeological evidence indicates that sesame was found in 'Harappa Culture' the oldest archaeological site in region. Same species are also found in Africa. India now considered as the basic centre of origin. Sesame is presumed to have originated in Africa and latter spread to West Asia to India, China and Japan. In India sesame seeds are used for oil extraction (78%) edible purpose (20%) and seed purpose (2%) out of that 70% sesame seeds are used for edible purpose such as salad and cooking oil and remaining 30% for toilet soap and manufacture margarine. Sesame is known as benniseed, gingelly, sesame, sisim, til and hawari. The sesame seeds are rich source of food and edible oil, nutritious, healthcare and biomedicine.

Its oil content generally varies from 48to 52% and contain 6355Kcal/kg energy in seeds the seeds are also rich source of proteins (20%-28%), sugars (14-16%), minerals (5-7%) and nutrients like calcium (1.31%) and phosphorous (0.07%). A sesame is regarded fatty acid component / composition of its oil and its resistance to oxidation and rancidity even when stores at ambient air temp. Due to the presence of potent antioxidant sesame seeds are called as "The Seeds of Immortality" with growing health consciousness and sesame has recently immerged as a valuable crop. Sesame is cultivated over an area of more than 7 million ha in world with an annual production of 4 million tones and yield of 535 kg ha -1 , India, Myanmar, Sudan, China are the major sesame growing countries. Since summer sesame is found fertilizer responsive oilseed crop under adequate availability of irrigation water and proper agronomic management. Different sources of nutrients N, P, S and Zn were given like Di-ammonium phosphate, Urea and zinc sulphate for S and Zn requirement. Among the various factors known to augment the crop production per unit area, fertilizer added with suitable agronomic practices play a pivotal role to boost up the crop yield. Among different essential elements, nitrogen is an important element which promotes vegetative growth. Its deficiency retards growth and root development, turns the foliage yellowish or pale green and hastens maturity. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient both as a part of several key plant structure compounds and as a catalysis in the conversion of numerous key biochemical reactions in plants. The presence of phosphorus in the soil encourages plant growth because phosphorus is an essential nutrient. Sulphur as a plant nutrient can play a key role in augmenting the production and productivity of oilseeds in the country as it has a significant influence on quality and development of oil seeds. Sulphur is one of the 16 essential nutrients required by all plants for oil seed production, as one unit of sulphur produces 3-5 units of edible oil (Tandon, 1991) [21] . With this background a field trial was undertaken to study the "Response of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) To the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc sulphate under irrigated condition."

Materials and Methods

A field experiment entitled "Response of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc sulphate under irrigated condition" was conducted in summer season during the year 2017, at Department of Agronomy Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.).

Soil:

To determine the physico-chemical properties of soil, samples from surface 0-30 cm depth were drawn before laying out the experiment from randomly selected spots from the entire experimental area. The soil under the very experimental area was analyzed which was low in available nitrogen (N) medium in available phosphorus (P), and high in available potassium (K).

Climate and weather:

Akola is situated in the subtropical region at 22.42° N latitude and of 77.02° E longitude and at an altitude of 307.4 meters above mean sea level. The climate of the area is semi-arid characterized by three distinct season viz., hot and dry summer from March to May, warm and rainy monsoon from June to October and mild cold winter from November to February.

Experimental details 2.3.1 Design and Treatments

The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 9 treatment combinations replicated 3 times. The allotment of the treatments to various plot were done randomly.

Treatment details:-T1-Control T2-100% RDF T3-125% RDF T4-100% RDF + 10 Kg ZnSo4 T5-125% RDF + 10 Kg ZnSo4 T6-100% RDF + 20Kg ZnSo4 T7-125% RDF + 20 Kg ZnSo4 T8-100% RDF + 30 Kg ZnSo4 T9-125% RDF + 30 Kg ZnSo4

Various field operations carried out for the experiment undertaken for summer sesame crop during the crop season.

Sampling technique

In order to represent the plot, five plants from each plot were selected randomly for various biometric observations on growth studies. These selected five plants were labeled properly and all biometric observations were recorded on these plants.

The height of the five selected plants was measured in centimeter from the base of the plant to the growing apex of fully opened apical vegetative bud at an interval of 20 days but first observation was taken at 30 days after sowing.

Growth studies

Statistical analysis and interpretation of data

The experimental data collected during the course of investigation were statistically analyzed with randomized block design (RBD) programmed by adopting standard statistical techniques of analysis of variance (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).

Results and Discussion

The data pertaining to mean plant height as influenced by various treatments recorded at different stages of crop growth are presented in Table 1, that the mean plant height was progressively increased with advancing age up to harvest.

Initially the rate of plant growth in height was slow during the first 30 days, there after it became rapid between 50 to 70 DAS. This effect might be seen due to application of second remaining 50% split dose of nitrogen after 30 DAS whereas basal dose of 50% nitrogen and phosphorus and ZnSo4 was provided at the time of sowing. The progress in rate of growth was slower down from 70 to 90 DAS and quiet steady from 90 DAS to harvest of the crop. The mean plant height attained at harvest was 106.55 cm.

Effect of nitrogen on plant height

The mean plant height was significantly influenced due to nitrogen levels with increase in 100% (25:25: [14] .

Effect of phosphorus on plant height

Differences in plant height measured at 50, 70, 90 DAS and at harvest were found significant but at 30 DAS it was nonsignificant and which are as presented in the Table 1. From 30 DAS to harvest, increased P levels caused considerable increase in plant height. However, there was significant difference in 100% & 125% i.e. 25 kg and 31.25 kg of P levels respectively and 31.25 kg (T3) found superior than 25 kg (T3) and control. Same case happened with T8 & T9 and also with T6 & T7 with 100% and 125% N levels along with 20 kg and 30 kg ZnSo4 and found at par and all superior over control, T3 and T4. As effect of P found too slow and it is a slow release nutrient provided through SSP and which is slow release fertilizer and concern is only that P should be available through all the growth stages of life. This may be due to availability of phosphorus slowly during different growth stages. As it act as catalysis in the conversion of numerous key biochemical reactions energy storage and transformation processes in plants. These results are found similar with the results of A Chakraborty (2009-10) [3] . [19] .

Effect of phosphorus number of branches plant -1

The application of phosphorus caused significant effect on number of branches plant [8] and Deshmukh SS. et al. (2010) [5] .

Effect of zinc sulphate number of branches plant -1

10 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg ZnSo4 was provided with 100% RDF and 125% RDF simultaneously in treatments from T4 to T9. Among this T9, T6 and T7 found significant over T8, T4, control and non-zinc sulphate application; but these three treatments were at par with each other from table 2. These results are in agreement with Tulasi Laxmi Thentu et al. (2011-12) and PS De et al. (2010) [5] with levels of sulphur in summer sesame.

Number of functional leaves plant -1

At 30 DAS the number leaves found were non-significant as 7-9 leaves found in every plot despite allocation treatments to plots. Maximum number of leaves were found during 50-70 and 70-90 DAS but maximum at 70 DAS. The highest mean number of leaves observed during 70 DAS is 96.84 in T9 treatment in table 3. These results are found similar with Sonia Shilpi et al. (2011) [19] , VA Khadse et al. (2011-12) [8] .

Effect of nitrogen on number of functional leaves plant - 1

Mean number of functional leaves plant -1 was significantly influenced due to mulching treatment at all stages of crop growth except 30 DAS and somewhat at harvest. 125% RDF i.e. 31.25 kg N recorded maximum number of leaves plant -1 , which was significantly superior over control and 100% RDF i.e. 25 kg N ha -1 at 50, 70 and 90 DAS. Also 31.25 kg N with 30 kg and 20 kg ZnSo4 in T7 & T9 treatment superior to all and at par with T6 (25 kg N and 20 kg ZnSo4). The increase in number of leaves might be due to the fact that nitrogen influence and encourage formation of new cells, there by helps in increasing the nutrient absorption and hastening leaf development. These results are found similar with Sonia Shilpi et al. (2011) [19] , VA Khadse et al. (2011-12) [8] .

Effect of phosphorus number of functional leaves plant -1

The effect of phosphorus on number of leaves plant -1 was found significant at all stages of crop growth except at harvest. The maximum number of leaves plant -1 was recorded by P2O5 dose at the rate of 31.25 kg ha -1 i.e. 125% RDF along with 20 kg and 30 kg ZnSo4, which was significantly superior over all other treatments at 30, 50, 70 and 90 DAS. Also 125% RDF in T3 better than 100% RDF and control plots. Increase in the level of P2O5, number of leaves increased markedly, which might be due to increased rate of cell division and cell enlargement due to energy transfer and photolytic functions due to more uptake of P2O5 with more dose than recommended. These results are in conformity with Deshmukh SS et al. (2010) [5] and Tulasi Laxmi Thentu et al. (2011-12).

Effect of zinc sulphate number of functional leaves plant -1

The effects of zinc sulphate in T9, T8 and T7 on mean number of functional leaves plant-1 were found to be significant at all stages growth of sesame excluding 30 DAS and little at harvest. These three treatments T9, T8 and T9 i.e. 125% RDF+30 kg ZnSo4, 100% RDF+30 kg ZnSO4 and 125%RDF+20 kg ZnSo4 had at par in this respect but significant over all other treatments. The difference among the treatments can be seen from the given values at 70 DAS as shown in the table 13. Similar results were obtained by Singaravel R, et al. (2010) with zinc sulphate application at 25 hg ha -1 and Babhulkar et al. (2000) [2] with 30 kg Zn ha -1 .

Leaf area plant -1 (dm 2 )

From table 4, mean leaf area plant -1 increased with the advancement in age of the crop from 30 DAS to 90 DAS. The maximum growth rate in respect of leaf area was 9.16 dm 2 in between 50 to 70 DAS. At 90 DAS the mean maximum leaf area plant -1 was 6.36 dm 2 while at 70 DAS 8.05 dm 2 . , and R. Sarkar et al. (2001-02) [14] .

Effect of phosphorus on leaf area plant -1

Phosphorus levels had significant influenced on mean leaf area plant -1 at all stages of crop growth except at harvest. The maximum leaf area plant -1 was recorded by T9 (125% RDF+ZnSo4) which was significantly superior over all the treatments and control at 50 and 70 DAS. But At 50 DAS T7 And T8 are at par, T4 and T5 are at par and T4 and T5 are superior over T6, also T8 and T9 superior over T6 at 50 DAS. At 70 DAS T9 is superior over all the treatments and at par with T8. At 70 DAS T6 and T7 are at par. At 90 DAS T7 is the best treatment over rest others. Whereas T6, T8 and T9 are at par with each other. This was mainly due to optimum moisture in root zone which favours uptake of phosphorus, resulting in better growth of the crop. These results are in conformity with GB Unde et al.

(2014-15) and PS De et al. (2010) [5] .

Effect of zinc sulphate on leaf area plant -1

Zinc sulphate effect on leaf area plant

Chlorophyll content index plant -1 (SPAD)

The general mean from the table showed that the CCI plant -1 increased progressively increase up-to 70 DAS and then decreased. The rate of CCI plant -1 was highest during 50 and 70 DAS. (2010) [15,5] .

Effect of phosphorus on chlorophyll content index plant -1

Same pattern is followed with levels of P2O5 as found in nitrogen levels in which T6 is superior to all and T4 is superior to all at 50 and 70 DAS. Trend of chlorophyll content starts declining after 70 DAS up to maturity and almost lost at harvest. As Involved in photosynthesis, respiration, energy storage and transfer, cell division, and enlargement hence produced good results. These results are in agreement with HE Shehu (2005-06) [15] and PS De et al. (2010) [5] .

Effect of zinc sulphate on Chlorophyll content index plant -1

Effect of zinc sulphate was found quiet significant applied at different rates with 100% and 125% RDF during all stages of growth and non-significant at 30 DAS. Mostly 100% RDF+ 20 kg ZnSo4 (T6) and 125% RDF+ 10 Kg ZnSo4 (T5) is superior to all at 50 DAS. Similarly 100% RDF+10 kg ZnSo4 (T4) and 125% RDF+ 20 kg ZnSo4 (T7) are significant over all the treatments at 70 DAS. Sulphur is necessary in chlorophyll formation (though it isn't one of the constituents) and Zinc aids plant growth hormones and enzyme system, necessary for chlorophyll production, necessary for carbohydrate formation, necessary for starch formation. Both are effective constituent of chlorophyll formation and improve photosynthetic rate and higher reproductive growth. These results are in agreement with HE Shehu (2005-06) [15] .

The scrutiny of the data in Table 6 indicates that, there was progressive increase in dry matter accumulation of the plant up to 90 DAS and then decreased. The rate of dry matter accumulation was highest during 30 to 50 DAS producing a total of optimum 0.57 g plant -1 and 11.66 g plant -1 respectively, which was increased further to the extent of 25.36 g plant -1 at 70 DAS and 37.22 g plant -1 at 90 DAS and nearly same at harvest, which may be due to leaf senescence but increased in some height due more time gap in harvesting than the actual time after maturity of cultivar. [14] .

Dry matter accumulation plant -1 was influenced significantly by the treatments of irrigation at all stages of crop growth. 125% RDF+30 kg ZnSo4 (T9) was recorded significantly higher dry matter accumulation plant -1 over rest of the treatments at all stages of crop growth and at par with T6, T7 and T8. 125% RDF (T3) was also found significantly superior control and T2 at all stages of crop growth. Dry matter accumulation is the cumulative growth of various plant parts and acts as an important index of efficient photosynthetic activity. Application of phosphorus with irrigation water ultimately reflects on accumulation of higher dry matter in aerial parts. Sarkar A, et al.

The effect of zinc sulphate was found to be significant at all growth stages of crop. Sulphur itself consider as good element for oilseeds in both vegetative and reproductive growth regard. Zinc plays significant role in chlorophyll synthesis and thus helps to increase the rate of photosynthesis. Higher sulphur doses provide good results as T9, T8, T7 and T6 complimenting with the 100% RDF & 125% RDF doses. Hence provide higher dry matter at harvest despite senescent leaf fall at harvest after maturity. The dry matter accumulation plant -1 is the resultant of photosynthesis activity and photo morphogenesis. The dry matter plant -1 was significantly influenced due to the ZnSo4 doses and irrigation at all stages of crop growth. Higher doses of ZnSo4 at 20 and 30 kg along with 100% and 125% RDF and desired irrigation frequencies increased in number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area and capsule plant -1 , where the photosynthesis produced and accumulated at a higher rate and thus the quantity through the process of plant metabolism ultimately replaced in dry matter production at higher rate. [5] .

Number of flower plant -1

Number of flower plant -1 found significant at 50, 70, 90 DAS and non-significant at harvest. Number of flowers are found very uneven at different stages of growth and rarely found maximum when it crosses 50% flowering.

Effect of nitrogen on Number of flower plant -1

Data pertaining to number of flower found significant at 50, 70, 90 DAS but non-significant at harvest. At 50 DAS T6 (100% RDF+ 20 kg ZnSo4) and T9 (125% RDF+ 30 Kg ZnSo4) with 12.22 and 12.55 respectively superior to all at 50 DAS and its optimum number of flowers obtained during whole growth period. As the flowers of sesame are so soft and delicate, shading problem comes with it. Premature flower drop at deficient moisture and high temperature is serious problem with this. Those increased levels of nitrogen increased the flowering percent but can't overcome this problem. Effect of P2O5 on the number of flowers found significant but not that so desirable one. Premature flower drop and shading of flowers problems remains same those levels of P2O5 was increased. So the progressive way is that to study 50% flowering for a yield contributing character as number of flowers varies at different stages of growth because flowering is continued up-to 70 to 80 DAS.

Effect of zinc sulphate on Number of flower plant -1

Effect of zinc sulphate is significant but found similar with levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The number of flowers plant -1 at harvest was non-significant as plant turns into more yielding character as flower turns into capsules and some flowers get dropped.

Days to 50% flowering

Mean number of days required for 50% flowering was 49.48 days. The effect of levels of nitrogen on days required for 50% flowering was found significant. Similarly non-significant results were obtained by Tulasi [5] . Effect of zinc sulphate also found to be nonsignificant as it does not influence mean number of days for 50% flowering.

Days required for maturity

Mean number of days required for maturity are 95.11 days. Number of days required for maturity are found to be nonsignificant with the different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc sulphate.

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