All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Regional Research Station for Kandi Area (Punjab Agricultural University), Ballowal, Saunkhri-144 521, Punjab
*Email: vijay.hpau@gmail.com
Online published on 27 January, 2015.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the important oilseed crops in India. The major constraint of its low productivity is non-adoption of improved technologies by the farmers. Frontline demonstrations were conducted at 45 farmers’ field during 2011, 2012 and 2013, to demonstrate production potential and economic benefit of improved technologies comprising sowing method, nutrient management and chemical weed control and adoption of whole package of practices for the crop. Pre-emergence application (within two days of sowing) of weedicide Lasso 50 EC (Alachlor) at 3 litres/ha in 500 litres of water used for effective control of the weeds during kharif season in rainfed condition. The technologies improved the yield attributing traits as well as seed yield of the crop. The improved technology recorded a mean yield of 468 kg/ha which was 32% higher than that obtained with farmers’ practice (355 kg/ha). Higher mean net income of 31,391/ha with a benefit: cost ratio of 2.65 was obtained with improved technologies in comparison to farmers’ practice ( 23,323/ha, 2.37).
Sesame, productivity, frontline demonstration, improved technology, farmers’ practice, net return
