Effects of planting dates and cultivar on pest infestation, yield and damage of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) in Owerri. Rain-Forest Zone of Nigeria
Date
2021-05
Authors
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Publisher
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Abstract
The field study was carried out in the Post Graduate Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State in 2018 to determine the level of pest infestation, yield and damage parameters of Sesame cultivars under different planting seasons in Owerri humid environment. The field design was a 3 x 6 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. Each replication consists of six plots of size 2.4 x 2.4 m2 . Treatments comprised of: Factor A -Three planting dates (14th of April- early planting;14th of June- mid planting and14th of August- late planting) and Factor B- Six sesame cultivars (MAJIGIDA, NCRIBEN 01M, NCRIBEN 02M, NCRIBEN 04E, NCRIBEN 05E, NCRIBEN E-8). Treatments were allocated in an area of land measuring 23.9m x 13.2m (315.48m2 ). Planting was carried out at a spacing of 30cm within rows and 60cmbetween rows at a rate of three (3) seeds per stand which was laterthinned to one(1). Morphological parameters (days to emergence, germination percentage, days to flower bud initiation and opening, days to capsule initiation and capsule formation, days to maturity and plant height at maturity) were recorded. Counts of insect visually seen on the plants were also recorded. Data on sesame yield and damage include- capsule, seed, and thrash yields kg/ha, per plot, and per plant. The results show that Majigida cultivar had the highest growth performance at days to emergence (5.22), percentage emergence (66.3%) and days to maturity (108 days) with appreciable plant height (164.9), significant seed yield/ plant (6.44g) and thrash yield (274kg/ha; 147.8g/plot) and low damage percentage(2.9%) irrespective of pest population at vegetative and flowering stages. Sesame planted on 14th of April had better growth performance from emergence to maturity with high capsule yield (465kg/ha), seed yield (182.5kg/ha) and thrash yield (296kg/ha) and low percentage damage (2.6%) irrespective of pest population at vegetative and flowering phases. Therefore, for increased yield of Sesame that may ensure food security, availability and sesame productivity, planting of Maijigida cultivar during second week of April planting should be adopted in Owerri, Rain forest Zone, Nigeria.
Description
This thesis is for the award of Master of Science (MSc.) in Entomology
Keywords
sesame, cultivar, pest, planting date, yield, damage, Department of Crop Science and Technology
Citation
Umelo, C. Q. (2021). Effects of planting dates and cultivar on pest infestation, yield and damage of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) in Owerri. Rain-Forest Zone of Nigeria (Unpublished Masters' Thesis). Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria