H. E. Shehu
Field experiments were conducted during the 2005 and 2006 rainy season at the Food and Agriculture Organisation/Tree Crop Programme (FAO/TCP) Teaching and Research farm of the Adamawa State University, Mubi to assess the effects of Mn and Zn on shoot content, uptake and utilization of N, P and K in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The treatments consist of N, P and K (75 kg N, 45 kg P2O5 and 22.5 kg K2O ha-1), and various rates of Mn and Zn as: NPK + 0.5 kg Mn ha-1, NPK + 0.5 kg Zn ha-1, NPK + 1 kg Mn ha-1, NPK + 1 kg Zn ha-1, NPK + 0.5 kg Mn + 0.5 kg Zn ha-1 and NPK + 1 kg Mn + 1 kg Zn ha-1 were the treatment combinations. This was arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Results shows that stem height, number of branches, leaves, and capsules were not significantly influenced by Mn and Zn. Seed yield was depressed at 1 kg Mn ha-1, 1 kg Mn + 1 kg Zn ha-1 and 0.5 kg Mn + 0.5 Zn ha-1 by 17.57 and 41% respectively. Number of seed capsule-1 was depressed by 9% at 1 kg Mn ha-1. Combined Mn and Zn had dry matter yield disadvantage by 16 and 18% at 0.5 and 1 kg ha-1 of Mn and Zn rates, respectively. Shoot N, P, K, Mn, and Zn contents of sesame, N and P uptake were not significantly influenced. Combined Mn and Zn depressed K, Mn and Zn uptake while Mn uptake increased by 57%.
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