Response of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels on Growth and Qualitative Characteristics of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

The nutrient applied is not readily available to the plants due to soil salinity; a sufficient quantity is leached or fixed in the soil. Balanced application of fertilizer like nitrogen and phosphorus play vital role in enhancing the yield of sesame. Nitrogen is a structural component of chlorophyll and protein therefore adequate supply of nitrogen is beneficial for both carbohydrates and protein metabolism as it promotes cell division and cell enlargement, resulting in more leaf area and thus ensuring good seed and dry matter yield. The present investigation was conducted during kharif season of 2022 at Chamelti Agriculture Farm, MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction with EC in safe range, medium in organic carbon, available nitrogen, potassium and high in available phosphorus.  The field experiment way laid out in factorial randomized block design comprising sixteen treatments with three replication. The experiment consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1) and four level of phosphorus (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1). RT-127 variety of test crop was used for sowing. This study concluded that application of 60 kg N ha-1 along with 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 was recorded significantly higher plant height, numbers of branches plant-1, dry matter accumulation and oil content. Economically, application of 60 kg N ha-1 along with 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 resulted in higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio.