Effect of sowing dates and sulphur levels on some sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)‎ cultivars under new valley conditions

الملخص EN

Yield and quality of sesame may be improved by manipulating the cultural practices to suit the crop with the prevailing environment.

Therefore, two field experiments were carried out in the Desert Research Center, Agriculture Experimental Station at El-Kharga Oasis, New Valley Governorate, Egypt during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons, to study the response of three Egyptian cultivars of sesame (Shandaweel-3, Toshka-1 and Giza-32) to four sowing dates (15th March, 1st April, 15th April and 1st May) under four levels of sulphur (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg S/fed).

The obtained results indicated that planting sesame plants on 15th March (early sowing date) was the superior treatment recorded the highest values of yields, yield components and oil percentage.

Shandaweel-3 cultivar gave the highest values of number and weight of capsules per plant, seeds weight per plant, 1000 seeds weight and seed, biological and sesame oil yield/fed.

Fruiting zone length, branches and capsules number per plant and biological and seed yields/fed were increased up to 200 kg S/fed.

It is evident from the obtained results that planting Shandaweel-3 cultivar on 15th March with adding 100 kg S/fed could be recommended for improving sesame yield under the New Valley conditions.