Enhancing growth and yield potential of sesame through interactive effects of nutrient management and growth regulation strategies

To understand how the integrated use of nutrient management and growth regulation strategies can synergistically enhance growth and yield dynamics of sesame, this field experiment was conducted in the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, to evaluate the interactive effects of nutrient management and growth enhancement practices by involving foliar spray of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, NPK combinations and manual clipping practices. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments replicated thrice comprising same levels (100 per cent) of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) in combination with different plant growth modulating treatments applied at critical crop growth stages viz., flowering and capsule formation stages in sesame. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production, along with yield attributes including number of capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, and test weight were recorded. The results revealed that integrated application of 100% RDF + Paclobutrazol @100 ppm at flowering and capsule formation stages (T₇), significantly enhanced vegetative growth and reproductive efficiency of sesame by producing increased growth and yield attributes, seed and stover yields (1668 and 2991 kg ha^-1, respectively) when compared to 100% RDF + Water spray (control - T₁). Improved source sink relationship and efficient utilization of nutrients under integrated treatments contributed to higher productivity. The study concludes that strategic integration of nutrient management with appropriate plant growth regulator application (100% RDF + Paclobutrazol @100 ppm at flowering and capsule formation stages) is an effective approach for enhancing growth and yield potential of sesame.