Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Performance of two Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of two sesame varieties. The experiment involved two sesame varieties (ExSudan and local) and four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 ) which was laid out in 2 x 4 factorial arrangements fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on growth characters and at harvest on seed yield components. The results showed that both varieties had similar growth characters except the number of branches per plant which was higher in plants produced from the local variety. Nitrogen fertilizer had significant effect on growth characters. Plant height, number of branches and leaves increased with increasing the application rate. Higher number of capsules were observed on plants produced from local while plants from Ex-Sudan variety had higher 1000-seed weight. However, both sesame varieties had comparable seed weight and yield. Nitrogen fertilizer application enhanced seed yield components. The application of nitrogen fertilizer at 150 kg ha-1 had the highest seed yield but comparable with the application rates of 50 and 100 kg ha-1 . The Local variety is suggested for sesame farmers due to higher number of branches and capsules fertilized with 50 kg N ha-1 for sustainable production of the crop in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.