Growth and yield performance of five improved sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties from Bangladesh

Abstract

Sesame production in Bangladesh is considered underprivileged, primarily due to low cultivar yields. To address the issue, a field experiment was conducted in Raingamary village, Batiaghata, Khulna to evaluate the growth and yield performance of five improved sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties in Bangladesh. The five varieties included Bina Til-1, Bina Til-2, Bina Til-3, BARI Til-3 and BARI Til-4. The experiment was designed using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and repeated four times. Data were collected on various growth and yield parameters of sesame. Bina Til-2 exhibited the maximum plant height at 75 days after sowing (DAS) (104.46 cm) and height up to the first capsule (39.37 cm). BARI Til-3 demonstrated a higher mean number of primary branches (5.45) and secondary branches (2.45). Conversely, Bina Til-1 had superior capsule length (3.82 cm), capsule width (2.54 cm) and number of seeds per capsule (78.56). The number of capsules per plant and thousand seed weight did not differ significantly among varieties. BARI Til-3 produced the highest seed yield per plant (7.83 g) and seed yield per hectare (1.14 t/ha) due to a relatively higher number of capsules per plant, more seeds per capsule, and increased harvest index (HI). Additionally, BARI Til-3 yielded the highest biological yield (3.54 t/ha). The results of this study indicate that BARI Til-3 is superior in terms of growth and yield.