Influence of sawdust biochar application on the growth, morphological characters and yield of four varieties of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.)

Purpose Sawdust, an organic residue abounds in many parts of Nigeria; they often block drainage channels, sometimes burnt to further aggravate the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, it can be harnessed as soil amendment.Method A field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ilorin, Nigeria during the ۲۰۱۸ and ۲۰۱۹ wet seasons to evaluate the performance of four sesame varieties using sawdust biochar. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, replicated four times. The main plots consisted of four varieties of Sesame (E-۸, Ex-Sudan, NCRI-Ben۰۰۱M, and NCRI-Ben۰۰۲M), the subplots were sawdust biochar (۰, ۵, ۱۰, ۱۵, and ۲۰ Mgha-۱). Data were collected on water holding capacity, plant height, and number of leaves, leaf area index, and yield per hectare. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using new Duncan Multiple Range test at ۵% level of probability.Results Results showed significant (Ƿ ˂۰.۰۵) effects of variety, and sawdust biochar rates on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, crop growth rate and yield per hectare. Variety NCRI-Ben۰۰۱M gave a yield of ۶۷۰ kgha-۱ at the application rate of ۱۵ tha-۱ sawdust biochar (۶۷۶ kgha-۱) compared to the average yield of sesame in Nigeria.Conclusion Farmers are therefore encouraged to cultivate NCRI-Ben۰۰۱M variety and use saw dust biochar at the rate of ۱۵ Mg ha-۱ for optimum yield.

Keywords:

Biochar , varieties , growth , Yield , Sesame