Effect of sources and levels of sulphur on growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under southern agro-climatic zone of Andhra Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out during summer (January to April)2019, 2020 and 2021 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India to study the effect of sources and levels of sulphur on growth, and yield of sesame. The soil of the experimental site was sandy clay loam in texture, neutral in soil reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, high in phosphorus, medium in potassium and deficient in sulphur. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated thrice with ten treatment combinations. Ten treatment combinations comprising of two sources of sulphur viz., S1: Sulphur Bentonite S2: Gypsum and five levels of sulphur viz., L1: 0 kg S ha‑1, L2: 10 kg S ha‑1, L3: 15 kg S ha‑1 L4: 20 kg S ha‑1, L5: 25 kg S ha‑1. The results of the experiment revealed that, among the sources of sulphur, application of Sulphur bentonite registered significantly higher stature of growth, yield attributes and yield as compared to the application of gypsum. With regard to the levels of sulphur, application of 25 kg S ha‑1 registered significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield as compared to the lower levels of sulphur tried. Interaction between the sources and levels of sulphur didn’t exert any significant influence on any one of the parameters studied in sesame.