Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner in Jaipur district of Rajasthan during kharif 2009 on loamy sand soil under semi-arid conditions. The experiment consisting of four levels each of phosphorus (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) and sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) thereby making sixteen treatment combinations was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. Sesame variety ‘RT-127’ was used as a test crop. Results showed that every increase in level of phosphorus upto 30 kg ha-1 brought about significantly higher seed (933 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (3385 kg ha-1) in comparison to lower levels and control. Nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur concentration in seed and stalk and their uptake, protein and oil content in seed as well as oil yield were also significantly improved under this level of phosphorus. However, it was found at par with 45 kg P ha-1. Results further indicated that application of sulphur at 30 kg ha-1, remaining at par with 45 kg ha-1 produced 9.8 and 32.5 per cent higher seed and stalk yield of sesame than 15 kg ha-1 and control, respectively. Nutrient concentration in seed and stalk and their uptake as well as protein and oil content in seed was also significantly higher at these levels of sulphur than lower levels. Sulphur fertilization at 30 and 45 kg ha-1 also recorded oil yields of 453.1 and 469.0 kg ha-1 that was 55.3 and 60.8 per cent higher than control, respectively. The economic optimum dose of phosphorus and sulphur as derived from response function was found to be 42.15 and 42.75 kg ha-1, respectively.

Keywords: Sesame, Phosphorus, sulphur, yield, nutrient uptake, quality