Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Aims: Studies were conducted to study the response of sesame to soil additives applied in-furrow.  

Study Design:  Randomized complete block with 4 replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were carried out during the 2016 through 2018 growing seasons in south-central Texas near Yoakum (29.27704^o N, -97.12453^o W).

Methodology: Sesame seed was planted < 2.54 cm deep. Treatments were applied using a CO₂-pressurized sprayer in 46.8 L ha^-1 of water with one Teejet® orifice disc #45 nozzle per row immediately after seed drop but prior to furrow closure.  Each plot consisted of two rows spaced 97 cm apart and 7.6 m long.  Sprinkler irrigation was applied on a 2- to 3-wk schedule throughout the growing season as needed.  S-metolachlor at 1.4 kg ha^-1 was applied preemergence while clethodim at 0.11 kg ha^-1 and diuron at 1.12 kg ha^-1 were applied postemergence to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds that were present.  

Results: In 2016, treatments containing 7% N + 10% chelated Fe, gibberellic acid + 3-indolebutyric acid (0.045%) + cytokinin as Kinetin (0.09%), and pop-up fertilizer (9-30-0 + Zn) resulted in the greatest sesame emergence. In 2017, 2% N, bifenthrin + Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747, and humic acids + Bacillus spp. resulted in greater emergence (90-97%) while in 2018, Azospirillum brasilense and 2% N resulted in the greater emergence (90-91%).  In 2016, 2% N produced the greatest yield while in 2018 2% N and the 3-way combination of cytokinin as kinetin (0.090%) + gibberellic acid + indole-3-butyric acid (0.045%) resulted in up to a 117% increase in yield over the untreated. 

Conclusion: The 3-way combination of gibberellic acid + 3-indolebutyric acid (0.045%) + cytokinin as kinetin (0.090%) and 2 % N proved to be the most consistent soil additives and resulted in a yield increases in the two years that the studies were harvested.