Effect of seed pelleting and foliar spraying on sesame productivity

Investigations on the effect of seed pelleting and foliar spraying on physiology and productivity in sesame were done at the Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during the year 2016–17. The study was conducted to understand the physiological basis for yield improvement in sesame. Sesame seeds were pelleted using TNAU pelleting mixture. Foliar treatments included urea 1 per cent, diammonium phosphate (DAP) spray 1 per cent, NPK (19: 19: 19) 1 per cent, manganese sulphate (MnSO₄) 0.5 per cent, monoammonium phosphate (MAP) 0.5 per cent, nutrient consortium 2 per cent and salicylic acid 100 ppm. Foliar sprays were given on 30 and 45 DAS. In general pelleted seeds gave better seedling characters such as germination percentage and vigour. Plants that received two sprays of nutrient consortium were taller at physiological maturity followed by foliar spray of NPK (19: 19: 19). Nutrient consortium and NPK (19: 19: 19) treatments also recorded a higher CGR and TDM content. The plants that received nutrient consortium 2 per cent on 30 and 45 DAS showed superiority in recording higher seed yield per plant followed by NPK (19: 19: 19) in both the factors (non-pelleted and pelleted seeds). Control plants recorded least seed yield compared to other treatments in both the factors.