Influence of NPK Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The present study evaluated the effect of different NPK fertilizer levels on the growth, yield, and yield-related attributes of sesame. The results revealed that NPK application had a highly significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on all studied parameters, with a consistent and progressive improvement observed as fertilizer rates increased. The maximum plant height (180.76 cm) and stem diameter (10.84 cm) were recorded under 70 kg NPK ha⁻¹, while the control treatment produced the lowest values (103.90 cm and 4.82 cm, respectively). Reproductive performance was also enhanced at higher NPK levels, as evidenced by the highest number of capsules per plant (179.25) and seeds per capsule (43.85) under 70 kg NPK ha⁻¹, whereas the unfertilized control showed the minimum values. Similarly, yield and yield-related traits responded positively to increasing NPK application. The maximum seed weight per plant (51.20 g), seed index (4.22 g), and biological yield (5206.8 kg ha⁻¹) were obtained at 70 kg NPK ha⁻¹, which was statistically superior to all other treatments. In contrast, the control treatment resulted in the lowest seed weight (21.20 g), seed index (2.65 g), and biological yield (3105.4 kg ha⁻¹). Overall, the application of 70 kg NPK ha⁻¹ proved most effective, producing the highest growth and yield attributes of sesame. The statistical analysis, supported by low S.E., LSD values, and highly significant P-values (0.000), confirmed the reliability of these findings. The study concludes that balanced NPK fertilization is essential for maximizing sesame productivity under similar agro-ecological conditions.