Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
2
2- Assistant Professor, Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran.
3
Professor, Crop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran
4
1- Assistant Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Like many other sesame-producing countries, Iran has numerous local sesame populations adapted to their respective production regions' climatic and soil conditions. However, these populations are not suitable for large-scale cultivation and mechanized farming. In 2016, a sesame genotype resistant to seed shattering was imported into the Iran suggesting its potential contribution to sesame cultivation programs in the country. Due to the lack of information regarding the appropriate planting arrangements and densities for this imported shatter-resistant genotype, especially in Golestan province, this research was conducted.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in 2020 and 2021 in the research fields of the Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Gorgan), located at 54° 24' longitude and 36° 53' latitude, with an elevation of 5.5 meters above sea level and temperate climate with hot and dry summers. The experiment was set up as a split-plot design in an RCBD with three replications. The main plots consisted of three-row spacings (30, 45, and 60 cm), and the sub-plots included four plant spacings (5, 8, 11, and 14 cm). The morphological traits, yield components, seed yield, seed oil percentage, and oil yield of the imported shatter-resistant genotype were evaluated. The data were analyzed using a mixed model approach assuming the random effect of year, and the analysis was performed using SAS software version 9.4. Mean comparisons of main effects were conducted using the LSD test at a significance level of 5%, and in the case of significant interaction effects, mean separation and comparison were performed using the LS-means test.
Results: The results showed that in the first year, the tallest plants were obtained from the 60×8 cm planting arrangement (193 cm), while in the second year; the tallest plants were obtained from the 30×11 cm planting arrangement (211 cm). Increasing the planting density from 10 to 35 plants per square meter increased the plant height by 22 cm, but further increases in density due to increased competition decreased plant height. Furthermore, the highest number of capsules per plant (201 capsules) in the first year was obtained from the 60×14 cm planting arrangement, and in the second year (169 capsules), it was obtained from the 60×11 cm planting arrangement. Decreasing the distance between rows and plants, which corresponds to increased planting density, reduced the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, and the thousand-seed weight. The results indicated a significant interaction effect of row spacing and plant spacing on seed yield. The highest seed yield of 3025 kg.ha-1 was achieved with the 30×11 cm planting arrangement. Although increasing the planting density decreased the number of branches and yield components, this decrease was compensated for by increasing the number of plants per unit area, and the highest seed yield was obtained at a density of 30 plants per square meter. Additionally, the results showed that increasing the planting density beyond 30 plants per square meter led to a decrease in seed oil percentage.
Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the average and maximum seed yield of the shatter-resistant genotype were approximately 3 and 4 times higher, respectively, compared to the average sesame yield in the Gorgan region. Therefore, considering the mechanized harvesting potential of this genotype and its high seed yield, it is recommended to cultivate this genotype using the 30×11cm planting arrangement and a density of 30 plants per square meter in the Gorgan region.
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