Investigating the Effects of Multiple Factors on Sesame Yield Using Strip Split Plot Experiment

The basic problem of farming is on how to improve crop production to obtain higher yields. To achieve this, commensurate nitrogen quantity and quality needs to be applied to the farmland. In this study, the effects of multiple factors namely variety, Nitrogen sources and Nitrogen levels were investigated on the yield of sesame crop in the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi Benue State from August to November 2020. A Strip Split plot design was implemented as the experimental layout. Two varieties namely White and Golden sesame, three Nitrogen sources namely Cow Dung, Poultry Dung and Urea and four Nitrogen level at 12, 24, 36 and 48 were applied during the period. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Estimated Marginal Means and POST-HOC were performed using SPSS 25 version. The result of this study showed that Nitrogen level, Nitrogen sources and their interactions were significant at 0.000, 0.044, 0.020 and 0.023 at 5% level of significance. The study also showed an average yield of 588.534 ± 13.40Kg/ha of sesame yield. Nitrogen level showed the highest average yield of 742.226 ± 8.077 Kg/ha at level 36 while Nitrogen sources yielded 605.975 ± 6.95 Kg/ha as the highest yield when UREA was applied for cultivation. The interaction of Nitrogen level and Nitrogen sources was 774.067 ± 13.98 Kg/ha as the highest yield when UREA was applied at 36kg. The impressive Sesame yields recorded from the Strip Split plot experimental layout showed that the application of UREA at 36kg provided highest yield than other nitrogen sources. Sustaining this nitrogen sources and level would have significant yield impact on Sesame yield. Farmers are advised to use UREA at 36kg for optimum yield in sesame production.