Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management in Yield, Growth Attributes and Microbial Population of Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on sesame during summer season of 2015 in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal at the Agricultural Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan to study the effect of combined application of macro- and micronutrient fertilizers and biofertilizers on yield, growth attributes and microbial population of Sesame. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design. Highest grain yield (7.9 q ha-1), stover yield (24.5 q ha-1), biological yield (32.4 q ha-1) and oil yield of sesame was registered where higher doses of sulphur along with other inorganic fertilizers (N40 P40 K40 S45 Zn21 Mo2.0 + FYM) were applied. Plant height (cm), branch no. per plant, pods per plant is found highest in combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizers (N40 P40 K40 Zn10.5 Mo1 B1.0 S30 + Azospirillum + FYM). Higher population of Azospirillum was registered in post- harvest soil treated with Azospirillum along with sulphur, micro and macronutrients treated plots.