P. MONIKA*, V. SUMATHI, P. MAHESWARA REDDY, M.V.S. NAIDU AND G. KARUNA SAGAR

Department of Agronomy, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati – 517502.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during summer, 2021 on sandy loam soils of dryland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three graded levels of fertilizers [75% RDF (N₁), 100% RDF- 40:20:20 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O ha-1 (N₂) and 125% RDF (N₃)] assigned to main plots and four foliar sprays [1% foliar spray of DAP (F₁), 1% foliar spray of 19-19-19 (F₂), 0.5% foliar spray of MnSO₄ (F₃) and 0.01% foliar spray of salicylic acid (F₄)] allotted to sub plots which were sprayed at 30 and 50 DAS replicated thrice. Supply of 125% RDF (N₁) recorded significantly higher yield contributing parameters, seedand stalk yield while, lower values were noticed with supply of 75% RDF (N₃). Among foliar sprays, 1% foliar spray of 19-19-19 scheduled at 30 and 50 DAS (F₂) significantly enhanced yield attributes, seed and stalk yield. However, their lower values were realized with 0.5% foliar spray of MnSO₄ given at same schedule (F₃). Similar trend was followed with regard to per cent of oil content, oil yield and economic returns. Soil application of 125% RDF in combination with 1% foliar spray of 19-19-19 given twice, each at 30 and 50 DAS resulted in better performance of summer sesame.

KEY WORDS: Fertilizer levels, Foliar sprays, Summer sesame, Yield.