Evaluation of Sesame Yield and Yield Component under Different NPS Fertilizer Rates in Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in three sites of Western Tigray, Ethiopia. The experiments aimed at identifying optimum the rate of the newly introduced NPS fertilizer impact with different levels on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of sesame in vertisols of Western Tigray at the Humera station, Banat and Kebabo Kafta Humera and Tsegede Wereda’s. The treatments consisted of six levels of NPS 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1 and one blanket recommendation N and P was applied. The experiment was laid out in an RCBD with three replications. Yield of Sesame and yield related components showed significant difference (p < 0.001) compared to control. Results showed that number of branches plant-1, length of pod bearing zone (cm), plant height (cm), number of capsules plant-1, seeds capsule-1 and seed yield was significant differences at (P< 0.001) Grain yield increases from 444.8 kg ha-1 to 671.9 kg ha-1 as NPS and 444.8 kg ha-1 to 628 kg ha-1 as NP increases from 0 (control) to 100 kg ha-1 NPS and 41 kg N and 46 kg P205 ha-1 respectively. But NPS was not significant with blanket recommendation of N and P (41 kg N and 46 kg P205 ha-1), therefore no need to replace the NP by NPS fertilizer in the study area.