The Use of Liquid Organic Formulations Improves the Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under Organic Cultivation

Background: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a drought-tolerant oilseed vital to developing countries and arid regions. Despite its resilience and rich oil content, yields remain low due to indeterminate growth and poor nutrient and source-sink balance. Organic farming offers a sustainable yield improvement approach, but the effects of foliar organic inputs like Panchagavya, cow urine and vermiwash under organic certified conditions are yet to be fully evaluated. Methods: A field study was carried out during the 2022 Kharif season at the Organic Farming Research and Training Centre, MPKV, Rahuri (semi-arid Inceptisol, pH 7.58). Using a randomized block design with three replications, ten treatments were tested viz.: control, cow urine (10%), vermiwash (10%), Panchagavya (3%), humic acid (2.5%), Amritpani (3%), waste decomposer (25%), Jeevamrit (10%), Kunapajala (3%) and cow urine + vermiwash (each 10%). All plots received vermicompost (2 t ha-1) at sowing, with foliar sprays applied at flowering [36 Days After Sowing (DAS)] and capsule initiation [57 Days After Sowing (DAS)]. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p≤0.05. Result: Foliar spraying with 3% Panchagavya significantly improved sesame growth, yielding more height, plant spread, branches plant-1 and dry matter plant-1, surpassing the control. Cow urine + vermiwash produced similar results. Panchagavya also gave the highest yield traits, more capsules plant-1, higher capsule weight, seeds capsule-1, increased seed weight/ plant-1 and seeds plant-1. Test weight was unaffected. Overall, fermented organic foliar inputs, especially Panchagavya, markedly enhanced sesame growth and yield under organic systems.