The effect of nitrogen on seed and oil yield of seven sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) genotypes in Isfahan

Abstract

Nitrogen is a major part of plant nutrition in agricultural ecosystems. It greatly affects the yield of crops, specially ''oilseed crops'' such as sesame. In order to study the effect of nitrogen and genotype on the seed and oil yield of sesame; an experiment was laid out in split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications and 35 plants m-2 at the Lavark Research Farm, Isfahan University of Technology, in 2006. Three nitrogen levels (50, 100 and 150 Kg N ha-1) and seven sesame genotypes (Local Ardestan, Nonbracching Naz, Branching Naz, Yekta, Oltan, Darab 14 and Varamin 2822) were used in main and sub plots, respectively. With an increase in nitrogen application to at least 150 kg N ha-1, despite a decrease in oil content, the seed and oil yield increased (P 0.01) averaged over genotypes. Since Yekta and Oltan outyielded the rest of genotypes, the latter genotypes with application of at least 150 kg N ha-1 could be recommended for sesame production in Isfahan.