THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT INTRA- AND INTER-ROW SPACING ON THE GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE OF SESAME <i>Sesamum indicum</i> L. IN BALI, TARABA STATE

This study investigates the effect of different intra- and inter-row spacing on the growth and yield of sesame plants. Four treatments (T1: 10 cm intra-row, 40 cm inter-row; T2: 15 cm intra-row, 40 cm inter-row; T3: 10 cm intra-row, 50 cm inter-row; and T4: 15 cm intra-row, 50 cm inter-row) were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Key growth parameters such as germinationpercentage, plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem diameter, days to flowering, fresh biomass, and seed yield were measured. Results indicated that T2 (15 cm intra-row, 40 cm inter-row) consistently produced superior outcomes, with the highest germination percentage (92%), tallest plants (120 cm), most leaves per plant (38), greatest stem diameter (2.6 cm), highest fresh biomass (12.5 kg/plot), and maximum seed yield (1.2 kg/plot). The study concluded that spacing significantly influences the growth and yield of sesame plants, with the optimal configuration being 15 cm intra-row and 40 cm inter-row spacing. This spacing provides better access to light, nutrients, and soil moisture, reducing competition among plants. The study recommends that farmers adopt this optimal spacing to maximize sesame yield and biomass production in areas with similar environmental conditions.