Improving Growth and Yield Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under the Effects of Soil Amendments and Planting Geometry

A field study was carried out at the University for Development Studies Experimental Field, Nyankpala, Ghana, to evaluate the growth and yield of sesame under the influence of planting geometry and soil amendments. The trial was a split plot laid out in a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design in Triplicate. The main plot treatments were three planting geometry (G1 = 45 x 15, G2 = 60 x 10, and G3 = 75 x 15 cm), and the sub-plot treatments were four soil amendments with a control [F0 = 0 t ha-1, F1 = 16 t ha-1 compost, F2 = 16 t ha-1 biochar, F3 = 16 t ha-1 (compost + biochar), and F4 = N− P2O5 −K2O (16−60−60 kg ha-1)]. The analysis of variance showed that all the planting geometry and soil amendments significantly (P < .05) affected growth and yield of sesame. The results indicated that the main effect of 45 x 15cm planting geometry, and the interaction effect between 75 x 15 cm planting geometry and compost application at 16 t ha-1 resulted in the maximum plant height (54.30 cm) and number of branches plant−1 (4.9), respectively at 42 DAP. However, planting geometry of 60 x 10 cm increased seed yield by 10 and 57%, compared to 45 x 15 and 75 x 15 cm planting geometry, respectively. Similarly, the application of compost at 16 t ha-1 promoted the highest capsule weight (1,719 kg ha-1), seed yield (1,115 kg ha-1) and 1000-seed weight (3.46 g). The percentage increase in various soil amendments over the control is shown in the following order: number of branches (B 22% < NPK 24%< B+C 27%< C32%); number of seeds per capsule (B+C 4% < B 5 % < NPK 7% < C 8%); and seed yield (B+C 75% < B 80%< NPK 137% < C157%).

Therefore, compost application at 16 t ha-1 and planting geometry of 60 x 10 cm is recommended for sesame production.