Effects of variety and sowing dates on yield and yield attributes of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Ideal planting time, varietal and suitable cultivar is the most common problem facing by the sesame growers. Accordingly, a field trial was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Cumilla, from February to June 2023 to investigate the response of variety and sowing date on the yield and yield components of sesame. The experiments were based on two factors. Factor A: varieties (i) BARI Til-4 (V1), (ii) BARI Til-6 (V2) and (iii) Binatil-2 (V3) and Factor B: five sowing dates (i) 20th February (T1), (ii) 2nd March (T2), (iii) 12th March (T3), (iv) 22nd March (T4), (v) 2nd April (T5). The experiment was arranged as RCBD with three replications. Results indicated that major traits of sesame: yield and yield components were significantly influenced by variety, sowing date and their interaction The variety Binatil-2 showed higher values for number of capsules plant-¹ (69.7), capsule weight plant-¹ (118.01 g), number of seeds capsule-¹ (59.8), 1000-seed weight (2.28 g), seed yield (859.7 kg ha-¹) and biological yield (3658 kg ha-¹). Sowing of seed on 20th February led to maximum plant height (154.1 cm), capsules plant-¹ (78.4), 1000-seed weight (2.77 g), and seed yield (1205 kg ha-¹). Binatil-2 in interaction with 20th February sown gave maximum 1000-grain weight (3.06 g), seed (1463 kg ha-¹) and harvest index (24.47%) which was advantageous for its better performance under these conditions. Thus, selection of variety played a significant role in the capsule and seed yield of sesame as evidenced in Binatil-2 variety and needs to be grown for more sustainable sesame production.