Impact of seed rates and weed management practices on agronomic performance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023-24 at S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati, to study the effect of seed rates and weed management practices on the growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments comprised three seed rates: line sowing (S1), broadcasting with the recommended seed rate (S2) and broadcasting with 1.5 times the recommended seed rate (S3). The sub-plot treatments included five weed management practices: pre-emergence application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 320 g ha⁻¹ (W1), pyroxasulfone @ 100 g ha⁻¹ (W2), pretilachlor @ 250 g ha⁻¹ (W3), hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) (W4) and a weedy check (W5). Results revealed that among the seed rates, broadcasting with 1.5 times the recommended seed rate (S3) significantly enhanced growth and yield parameters of sesame. Among the weed management treatments, hand weeding twice (W4) recorded the highest growth, yield and yield attributes, significantly outperforming the herbicidal treatments and weedy check. The study highlights the potential of adopting higher seed rates and manual weeding for effective weed control and yield maximization in sesame cultivation.