Response of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to Sulphur and Lime Application under Soil Acidity

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of sulphur and lime application on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) alley cropping. The results revealed that, increased application levels of sulphur up to 30 kg/ha significantly increased the plant height (136.91 and 151.83 cm), leaf area index (2.52 and 1.02), dry matter accumulation in leaves (2.44 and 1.32 g/plant) and dry matter accumulation in roots (2.62 and 2.89 g/plant) at 60 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest, respectively. Further, increase the level of sulphur up to 45 kg/ha was statically at par with 30 kg sulphur/ha. Similar growth and yield patterns were observed with the application of 250 kg lime/ha in sesame. Moreover, all growth parameters at 30 DAS were observed not-significant sulphur and lime application. Interaction effect was also recorded at P=.05 level of significance between sulphur and lime levels on sesame seed (356.00 kg/ha), stalk (386.42 kg/ha) and biological (837.69 kg/ha kg/ha) yield with the application of 45 kg sulphur/ha + 350 kg lime/ha, which were observed to be the highest than all other treatments. The present investigation concluded that sulphur deficiency and soil acidity problems negatively affects sesame productivity and it can be overcome with applications of 30 kg sulphur/ha and 250 kg lime/ha in Vindhyan region of India.