The Effectiveness of Dolomite Phosphate Rock on Growth and Yield of Black Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Paddy Field

Abstract

Background: The study was carried out to determine the amount of the dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) on the growth and seed yield of black sesame in a paddy field. Methods: A randomized complete block design was used for the field experiment, which included four treatments, each with four replications. Treatments were applied without the DPR and with 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 t ha-1 DPR. Result: Experimental results showed that sesame plants were fertilized with the following formula: 60 N x 60 P2O5 x 30 K2O kg ha-1. Moreover, the addition of 0.5 t ha-1 DPR increased plant height (129.7 cm), the number of leaves and pods per plant (47.4 pods), total chlorophyll content in leaves (12.4 µg/cm2), the number of seeds per pod and seed yield (1.61 t ha-1). The phosphate content increased in the stem but not in the leaves and seeds. The pH of the soil (0-20 cm) and the amount of NH4+, NO3- and PAvailable were also increased.