Effects of Subsurface Drip Irrigation and Water Stress on Sesame Seed Color Characteristics

Sesame seed color is an important criterion used in selection for marketing and variety development of the product. Although several studies have related seed color to biochemical composition, the effect of irrigation strategies on sesame seed color has not been investigated yet. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of four irrigation levels (I1: 100%, I2: 70%, I3: 40% and I4: rainfed) applied by subsurface drip irrigation system at three different lateral depths (D1: 20 cm, D2: 30 cm and D3: 40 cm) on sesame seed color. The results show that sesame seeds grown under different irrigation levels showed significant differences in a*(red-green) and b* (yellow-blue) color parameters. Water level as the lateral depth of irrigation water increased, the color of sesame seeds lightened. Intensification was observed in the density and overall average color values at 30 cm lateral depth irrigation. Although the values and density are more scattered in the irrigations at 20 and 40 cm depth, an increase is observed in the L* color values obtained in the irrigations at 40 cm depth. In general, an increase was detected in the L* value with the lateral depth. When all the results were evaluated, it was determined that the lateral depth recommended in the study should be 40 cm and the irrigation level should be 70%.