Agriculture: Towards a New Paradigm of Sustainability Sowing Time and Spacing for Summer Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

M Shekh, R Mathukia, B Sagarka
unpublished
A field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2010 to 2012 on clayey soil of Junagadh (Gujarat) to ascertain proper time of sowing (3 rd week of January, 2 nd week of February and 4 th week of February) and spacing (30 cm x 10 cm, 45 cm x 10 cm and broadcast) in relation to growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The results revealed that sowing in 2 nd week of February enhanced growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, branches per plant, capsules per plant and test
more » ... eight and ultimately gave higher seed yield (1.237 t/ha) and stalk yield (2.132 t/ha) as well as higher net returns (Rs. 44020/ha) and B:C ratio (3.40) over early (3 rd week of January) and late (4 th week of February) sowing. The results further indicated that 45 cm x 10 cm spacing promoted growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, branches per plant, capsules per plant and test weight compared to 30 cm x 10 cm and broadcast, however 30 cm x 10 cm spacing gave higher seed yield (1.782 t/ha) and stalk yield (2.016 t/ha) along with higher net returns (Rs. 36279/ha) and B:C ratio (2.98) over 45 cm x 10 cm and broadcast sowing. Therefore, sowing in 2 nd week of February (when soil temperature reaches 22ºC) and spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm could be appropriate for maximizing yield and monetary returns from summer sesame under south Saurashtra agro-climatic conditions of Gujarat.
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