EFFECTS OF SELECTED COMPOST TYPES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum) VARIETIES IN OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE.

Abstract

Researching into suitability of some under-utilized crops/weeds (which are naturally nutrients rich with heavy biomass production), as potential fertilizer materials for arable crop production is a worthwhile low input technology. In recent times, manifestation of ill-effects of abusive use of chemical fertilizers as become a great concern, as it affects soil fertility/productivity, crop performance and human welfare. Hence, crop production is moving towards organic farming, which disallows the use of agro-chemicals (chemical fertilizer inclusive). Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to evaluate the performance of different sesame varieties, under different compost types. Two sesame varieties (E8 and Ogbomoso local) were investigated under six fertilizer treatments namely: NPK 15-15-15 (applied at 300kg/ha) and four compost types made from phyto-residues
obtained from the Devil’s claw plant (Martynia annua) and other three (3) selected common wild plants (Chromolaena odorata, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia), and the control. All the phyto-residues were applied at 4tons/ha. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated thrice. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, number of capsules, seed weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and grain yield parameters. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using Duncan Multiple
Range Test at 5% level of probability (p≤0.05). Application of different fertilizers significantly influenced growth, yield parameters as well as the nutrient uptakes of sesame, irrespective of the varieties, compared to the control. Although, a significantly higher number of capsules (100.7g/plant) was recorded for E8 variety plants which received NPK 15-15-15 application, the value was not significantly different from those obtained from Martynia and Tithonia composts. All treatments applied enhanced the growth and yield parameters of sesame. The application of Zero fertilizer had the least value across all the parameters measured. The two sesame varieties responded well to improved soil nutrition from different organic fertilizers tested. Martynia annua and Tithonia diversifolia biomass significantly enhanced sesame growth and yield, compared to other treatments tested.The growth and yield of sesame responded to different fertilizer types. The most suitable fertilizer that supplies adequate nutrients for optimum performance of sesame is Martynia annuaandTithonia diversifolia. Therefore, application of either Martynia or Tithonia compost at 4tons/ha is hereby recommended to be most suitable and adequate for improving the performance of sesame (especially E8 variety), in the study area.