Evaluating adaptability of different sesame (S. INDICUM L.) varieties to environmental conditions of Mbire, Zimbabwe.
- Author
- Mafara, Chamunorwa.
- Title
- Evaluating adaptability of different sesame (S. INDICUM L.) varieties to environmental conditions of Mbire, Zimbabwe.
- Abstract
- The study assessed the performance of three sesame (S. indicum L.) Varieties - black, cream, and white under field conditions in the Mbire district of Zimbabwe. The study utilized a randomized complete block design with three replications assessing growth parameters, yield components, and oil content. Significant differences among varieties (p<0.001) where observed across all parameters. The black sesame variety showed superior performance with the highest yield (59.94kg) as well as oil content (55.48%) in spite of showing moderate vegetative growth compared to the other varieties under investigation. Even though the white variety had better branching (7.56 branches) and the cream variety had the greatest height (2.04m) these characteristics did not translate into yield advantages. The number of capsules per plant strongly correlated with the final yield with black sesame producing significantly more capsules (211.44 per plant) than cream (175.11) and white (85.11) varieties. Results indicate black sesame as the most suitable variety for commercial production in Mbire district having a combination of high seed yield potential as well as superior oil content. The research concluded that the black variety is the best performer of the investigated varieties in Mbire district conditions and recommends that farmers adopt its use for yield and quality optimisation.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Adaptability of Different Sesame
- Black sesame variety
- Supervisor
- Mrs Kamota
- Item sets
- Department of Crop Sciences
