Effect of different nitrogen levels and row spacings on yield of Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) under Agele marmelous L. (beal) based agri-horti system

Abstract

A field study was conducted during kharif, season 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Farm, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, (Uttar Pradesh) to study the response of four Nitrogen (N) levels (0 kg N ha-1, 20 kg N ha-1, 40 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg N ha-1) and two-row spacings (30 cm and 45 cm) under rainfed condition. The design of experiment was Factorial Randomized with 8 treatments and 3 replications. Results revealed that row spacing 45 cm recorded more number of branches, capsules, dry matter plant-1, 1000 grain weight and higher grain yield than the row spacing 30 cm. The application of 40 kg N ha-1 produced significantly maximum grain yield along with the higher values of plant height, branches plant-1, dry matter plant-1 was with 60 kg N ha-1. Increasing N levels up to 40 kg N ha-1 resulted in significantly higher grain yield and yield attributes. Through increased the levels of nitrogen up to 60 kg N ha-1 increased the maximum oil content (41.84%) in 45 cm but not up to the level of 40 kg N ha-1, whereas, 40 kg N ha-1 (39.70%) and 20 kg N ha-1 (39.05) produced, respectively. Although highest nitrogen levels were found superior to medium and lowest Nitrogen levels and produced maximum gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio (BCR).