Effect of phosphorus and sulphur fertilization on growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under loamy sand soils of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner in Rajasthan during kharif 2009 on loamy sand soil. The experiment consisting of four levels of phosphorus (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha) and four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha) 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 progressive increase in level of phosphorus upto 30 kg/ha significantly increased the growth attributing characters of sesame viz ., plant height, number of branches per plant, crop dry matter accumulation at most of the stages and yield attributes like number of capsules per plant, seeds per capsule and test weight over preceding levels. It also recorded significantly higher seed (933 kg/ha), stalk (3385 kg/ha) and biological yield (4318 kg/ha) in comparison to lower levels of phosphorus and provided net returns of Rs 34666 with a B: C ratio of 2.88. However, it was found at par with 45 kg P/ha. Results further indicated that application of sulphur at 30 kg/ha, remaining at par with 45 kg/ha, significantly enhanced the growth and yield attributing characters as well as yield of sesame. It increased the seed and stalk yield by margin of 30.7 and 28.4 per cent than control, respectively. It also fetched significantly higher net return (Rs 34,507/ha) and B : C ratio (2.89) than lower levels of sulphur. Nutrient-use efficiency for P and S showed inverse trend with increase in their levels.