Yield and yield components of sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> l.) varieties as influenced by poultry manure rates in the Northern Guinea and Sudan Savannah of Nigeria

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), also known as Benniseed, is one of the cultivated oilseed crops in the world with high-quality edible oil (47-55%), high degree of stability, and resistance to rancidity. A field trial was conducted during the 2019/2020 dry season in Samaru (Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria) and Kadawa (Sudan Savannah of Nigeria) to determine the effect of poultry manure rates on sesame yield and yield components. Treatments were four sesame varieties (E-8, Yandev 55, NCRIBEN 01M, and NCRIBEN 04E), four rates of poultry manure (0, 4, 6, and 8 t ha–1) and the recommended NPK rate for sesame (50 kg N ha–1, 60 kg P2O ha–1, and 35 kg K2O ha–1) arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Data were collected on the number and weight of capsules per plant, seed yield, 1000-seed weight, and % seed oil content. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using the Duncan multiple range test. Results showed that 8 t ha–1 poultry manure gave the highest yield components and yield of sesame in Samaru (581.85 kg ha–1) and Kadawa (611.85 kg ha–1). In both locations, the varieties NCRIBEN 04E and NCRIBEN 01M with seed yields of 348.17 and 321.84 kg ha–1 in Samaru and 327.62 and 301.94 kg ha–1 in Kadawa, respectively performed significantly better than Yandev 55 and E-8 which was the least. Therefore, cultivation of NCRIBEN 04E with 8 t ha–¹ of poultry manure is recommended in Samaru while either NCRIBEN 04E or NCRIBEN 01M, with the same 8 t ha–¹ of poultry manure, can be adopted in Kadawa.