Effect of Sulphur and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop whose productivity is often constrained by deficiencies of essential micronutrients like sulphur and zinc. Adequate nutrient management, particularly the balanced application of sulphur and zinc, plays a critical role in enhancing plant growth, yield, and oil quality. A field experiment was conducted during Zaid season of 2025 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of Sulphur and Zinc on growth and yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment had 3 levels of Sulphur (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha) and Zinc (10, 20 and 30 kg zinc sulphate/ha) with one control, the experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that the significant increase in the growth and yield attributing characters of sesame, viz. plant height, number of branches/plant, plant dry weight, capsules/plant, seeds/capsule, test weight, seed yield, and stover yield was recorded in application of Sulphur 30 kg/ha in conjunction with Zinc sulphate 20 kg/ha. This combination had been observed most effective treatment for obtaining higher seed yield (933.3 kg/ha) and net returns (INR 67673.72/ha) in sesame crop, for Prayagraj region.