The effect of different row spacing and seeding rates on yield and yield components, leaf area index and light interception efficiency in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

This study was carried out in Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Application and Research Center trial areas in 2021, in order to determine the effects of different row spacing and seeding rates on yield and yield components, leaf area index and light interception efficiency in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Field trials were done according to split plots of randomized blocks with three replications. As a result of the analysis of variance, the differences between plant height, stem diameter and number of branches per plant in terms of row spacing were found to be significant at the 5% probability level. In terms of sowing rates, there were significant differences at the 1% probability level in all properties except the number of seeds in the capsule and the thousand seed weight. Row spacing x sowing rate interaction was found to be statistically insignificant for all the traits. The highest seed yields were obtained from 400, 600 and 800 g/da sowing rates as 115.0, 118.3 and 118.5 kg/da, respectively. Leaf area index and light interception ratio values increased with increasing sowing rates. On the other hand, the light interception efficiency values showed an inverse relationship with the leaf area index and the light interception ratio, as the leaves on the upper part of the plants shade the lower ones. As a result, considering the seed cost and mechanization feasibility, it can be said that the sowing rate of 400 g/da and the row spacing of 70 cm are suitable for high yield in sesame.