Planting Date Effects on Plant Growth and Development in Sesame¹

Abstract

Abstract Changes in the growth and development of the sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) plant induced by varying planting dates have not been fully studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of three planting dates on plant growth and development in irrigated sesame. Field experiments were conducted in 1983 and 1984 on a Uvalde silty clay loam (fine, mixed, hyperthermic Aridic Calcuistall) soil. At maturity, stem dry matter was significantly higher for the 27 April and 15 May planting dates compared to 18 June. When planting was delayed from 27 April to 15 May or 18 June, the period of leaf growth and retention was reduced by 10.5 and 24.4%, respectively. Date of planting did not significantly affect total dry matter of reproductive parts, but percentage of mature seeds was reduced from 60.9% for the 27 April planting date to 53.6% for the 15 May, and 29.0% for the 18 June planted plots. Date of planting did not significantly affect height‐to‐the‐first‐capsule but did affect days‐to‐50%‐bloom, days‐to‐maturity, and seed yield. In 1983, days‐to‐50%‐bloom was reduced by 15 days, days‐to‐maturity by 26 days, and yield by 754 kg ha −1 when the planting date was delayed from 29 April to 20 June. In 1984, days‐to‐50%‐bloom was reduced by 10 days, days‐to‐maturity by 25 days, and yield by 1132 kg ha −1 when planting was delayed from 27 April to 18 June. Plant height and seed‐test‐weight were affected only in 1984.