Physiological and Agronomic Response of Sesame [Sesamum indicum (L.)] to Temporary Water Deficit

Abstract

Aims: In Burkina Faso, sesame has many economic, agronomic and food potential. However, insufficient rainfall and aridity of the soil negatively affect its yield. With this in mind that the present study was conducted to determine the influence of temporary water deficit on the productivity of two varieties of sesamum introduced in Burkina Faso. Study Design: The trial was conducted in a greenhouse in pots on a sandy-silty substrate. Place and Duration of Study: It was set up from April 8th to July 20th, 2023 in the garden of the Life and Earth Sciences Training and Research Unit (UFR/SVT) of the Joseph KI-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso. Methodology: A split plot with two factors and three replicates was used as an experimental set-up. The variety factor was at two levels (SN103 and HB168) and the water regime factor at three levels (control T0: watering every two days at the soil field capacity; T1: 10-day suspension of watering at the vegetative stage; T2: 10-day watering suspension at the flowering stage). Results: The results of the study showed that the combination T1*HB168 leads to the lowest plant heights with 151.37±5.56 cm compared to the T1*SN103 (154.97±6.75 cm), T2*SN103 (165.34±3.35 cm) and T2*HB168 (165.14±3.70 cm) treatments. The mean number of capsules per plant was similar under the T1*SN103 and T2*SN103 combinations (161±1 and 155±3 capsules/foot, respectively) and lower compared to the T0*SN103 combination (168±3capsules/foot). In HB168, the same trend was observed because the number of capsules was reduced under T1 and T2 (193±4 and 190±6 capsules/stem, respectively) compared to those under T0 (207±6 capsules/stem). On the other hand, the water deficit had a negative and significant effect on the HB168 variety in which the T0*HB168, T1*HB168 and T2*HB168 treatments led to seed yields per plant (respectively (51.76±4.15 g/plant; 40.72±0.55 g/plant and 37.83±2.39 g/plant). Conclusion: As a result, the SN103 variety is more tolerant to water deficit and is recommended in areas prone to temporary water deficits.