Selection of the best planting method and plant density for two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars with different growth types in Karaj region

Among oilseeds, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is known as the queen of oilseeds due to its significant amount of antioxidant compounds, essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. Among the necessary managements to achieve maximum crop production, the selection of cultivar, density and planting pattern could be mentioned. Different sesame cultivars have various growth characteristics (for example, branching) and each of them is suitable for a planting method with a certain density. The aim of this study was to evaluate the planting pattern and suitable density for two sesame cultivars.

In this study, the effect of planting pattern (single or double row(s) on ridges), plant density (20, 30 and 40 plants m-2) and sesame cultivars (Oltan and Naz Tak Shakheh) based on factorial experiment in a randomized complete blocks design were evaluated in three replications during 2019 and 2020 in Karaj region. Plant height, grain yield and yield components, dry matter yield, harvest index and oil percentage and yield were evaluated. Statistical analyzes were performed using SAS software and LSD test was used to compare the main means and slicing was used to compare the means of interactions.

Analysis of variance showed that effect of planting pattern factor on plant height and dry matter yield, plant density factor on all traits (except 1000-seed weight) and cultivar factor on all traits (except harvest index) were significant. Comparison of means showed that the mean of plant height in planting pattern of double rows on ridges (126 cm) was significantly higher. Among the yield components, the number of capsules per plant at densities of 30 and 40 plants m-2 (57 and 60, respectively) were the highest, which were statistically significant compared to the density of 20 plants m-2 (50). The number of seeds per capsule at the density of 20 plants m-2 was the highest (58) which showed a statistically significant difference compared to the other two densities. Among the studied densities, the highest grain yield (993 kg ha-1) was obtained from the density of 40 plants m-2 and the lowest grain yield (798 kg ha-2) was obtained from the density of 20 plants m-2. Among the two studied cultivars, Oltan cultivar had the highest yield and grain yield components which showed a statistically significant difference compared to Naz Tak Shakheh. The highest oil yield was produced by Oltan cultivar in each of the densities of 30 and 40 plants m-2, which statistically did not show a significant difference in planting pattern of single or double row(s) on ridges.

This study showed that Oltan cultivar is recommended in planting pattern of single row on ridges and in density of 30 plants m-2 for Karaj region.