Response of Several Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars to Foliar Potassium Application on Growth Traits

Abstract

Abstract A field experiment was conducted in the summer season of 2023 at the Hamidhia Research Station of the College of Agriculture - University of Anbar at latitude and longitude (33.45, 43.38). With aim to study the growth traits of four sesame cultivars under the influence of potassium fertilizer spraying. The experiment was implemented using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement and three replications. The potassium concentrations (0, 2000, 4000, 6000) mg L-1applied as foliar s applications, allocated to the main plots while the cultivars (Wada’a, Black Malaysian, Magnali 53, Golmarmuros) occupied the sub-plot. The results demonstrated that the Magnali 53 cultivar excelled in plant height (157.87 cm), branch number (6.98 branches per plant), chlorophyll index (55.51 SPAD), leaf area (6853 cm2 per plant), and leaf area index (5.47). On the other hand, the Wada’a cultivar showed superiority in days to flowering with 37.33 days. The concentration of 4000 mg L-1 yielded the highest averages plant height (166.50 cm), branch number (6.08 branches plant-1), chlorophyll index (55.79 SPAD), leaf area (7091 cm2 plant-1), and leaf area index (5.66). The results indicated the significance of the interaction between potassium application concentrations and cultivars in plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area, and its index.