تاثير كاربرد نيتروژن و تراكم بوته بر برخي ويژگي هاي زراعي كنجد

Efffect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Plant Density on Some Agronomic Charactristics, Seed Yield, Oil and Protein Percentage in Two Sesame Cultivars

The effects of different N rates and plant densities on yield and yield components in two sesame (Sesame indicum L.) cultivars were evaluated in a factorial experiment (2 x3x3) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant densities consisted of 10.0, 16.6 and 25.0 plants m-2 and nitrogen rates were 0, 60, and 90 kg ha^-1. The two sesame cultivars were Zarghan local and Darab 14. Nitrogen (N) rates exhibited a significant effect on number of branches per plant, capsules per plant, seed and protein percentage content. Plant density had also a significant effect on seed yield, biological yield, harvest index, number of branches per plant, and number of capsules per plant. Increasing N rates along with plant density increased seed yield with the highest yield (1724 kg/ha) and harvest index being obtained in Zarghan cultivar, while using 90 kg N/ha at 25.0 plants per m^2 with no significant difference being observed as with 60 kg N/ha. Application of 90 kg N/ha caused an increase in protein accumulation by 25% as compared to control (no fertilizer). Seed oil percentage was a stable yield component and was not affected by either N rates or plant density. Maximum oil percentage was obtained in Darab 14 cultivar, when using 90 kg N ha^-1 and 10 plants per m^2. Zarghan cultivar was superior as for N fertilizer, plant density, and seed yield, but in Darab 14 cultivar higher oil and protein percentages were produced.