open access

Submitted: 2025-03-05
Crop Production and Environment
Published: 2025-03-07

Effect of different plant densities on growth, yield and nutritional quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Morocco

Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to assess the effect of plant density on growth, yield components and nutritional quality of Sesamum indicum in Taounate, Morocco. The experiment was a randomized block design using three levels of plant density: 100 104 plants ha-1, 11 104 plants ha-1, and 4 104 plants ha-1. Results showed that plant density affected the majority of measured parameters. Low plant density (4 104 plants ha-1) increased plant length (150 cm), number of capsules per plant (94.3), number of seeds per capsule (61.2), and capsules length (29.8 mm). On the other hand, seed yield, oil yield, and protein yield increased with increasing plant density. In conclusion, it is recommended to adjust the plant density to 100 104 plants per hectare under the conditions of Taounate, Morocco to achieve maximum yield with better nutritional quality.

Key words: Sesamum indicum, Plant density, Growth, Yields, Nutritional quality