Sesame Cultivation under Water-Deficit Conditions

This study aimed to develop effective sesame cultivation technology for the water-scarce and saline conditions of northern Karakalpakstan. Field experiments were conducted using four locally adapted sesame varieties - Tashkent-122, Khiva, Sadaf, and Kara Shahzoda - under varying irrigation regimes. Drip irrigation and a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers were applied on meadow-alluvial soils with moderate salinity. Soil nutrient dynamics, plant growth parameters, and yield components were analyzed. Results showed that water deficit conditions altered soil nutrient availability, particularly increasing residual nitrogen and potassium levels due to reduced nutrient uptake by plants. Among the tested varieties, Tashkent-122 demonstrated superior performance in plant height, pod and grain number, seed weight, and overall yield, making it the most suitable for arid environments. These findings highlight the potential of water-saving technologies and appropriate varietal selection to enhance sesame productivity in saline, low-water agroecosystems. Keywords: Sesame, water deficit, drip irrigation, water-saving technology, saline soil, mineral fertilizers, soil fertility, yield.