Effect of sulfur and iron fertilizers on yield, yield components and nutrient uptake in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under water stress

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of sulfur and iron fertilizers on yield, yield components and nutrient uptake in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under water stress, a field experiment was conducted as split factorial design with three replication at Dezful, Khuzestan, Iran. Two irrigation regimes were used (well-watered and water-limited) as the main plots and subplot consisted of three levels of sulfur (B₁ = 0, B₂ = 100 and B₃ = 200 kg.ha^-1) and three foliar application of iron (C₁ = 0, C₂ = 3 and C₃ = 6*1000 concentrations). The results showed that water stress significantly reduced biological yield (10.26%) and number of capsule per plant. Interaction between water stress and combination of iron and sulfur fertilizers had significant effect on grain yield. The highest grain yield was obtained by well water treatment and b₂c₂ fertilizers treatment. Interaction between water stress and combination of iron and sulfur fertilizers had significant effect on nitrogen and iron content in the seeds. The highest iron content of seeds was obtained at water stress treatment and b₁c₂, and highest nitrogen content was at b₁c₂ and b₁c₃ fertilizers treatments.

Key words: Sesame, water stress, sulfur, iron, yield, nutrients content.