Effect of Bone Meal and Intercropping on Productivity and Quality of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Abstract
Afield experiment was conducted in Kharif season of 2024–2025 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Himalayan University, Jollang, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam and loamy sandy in texture with pH ranges from 4 to 6. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments each replicated thrice three. The treatments which are T1: Control, T :Bone meal at 70 kg/ha.+ intercropping 2 (2:1), T : Bonemeal at 70 kg/ha. +intercropping (2:2), T : Bonemeal at 70 kg/ha.+ Intercropping (2:1), T : Bonemeal at 70 3 4 5 kg/ha. + intercropping (2:2), T : Bonemeal at 70 kg/ha.+ intercropping (2:1), T : Bonemeal at 70 kg/ha.+ Intercropping 6 7 (2:2). The results showed maximum productivity of were recorded significantly higher in the treatment T which is Bonemeal 7 at 70 kg/ha.+Intercropping (2:2), number of capsule/plant (.33.67), capsule length (3.5cm) , seeds/capsule (78), test weight (3.2g), economic yield (0.3 t/ha), biological yield (2 t/ha), but in harvest index T1: Control has shown maximum resulti.e., (19.19) and maximum quality of oil content in sesame (6.35%) and in protein content (35.06%) were recorded in the treatment T as compared to all the other treatments. 7
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Introduction
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)is one of the oldest and most important oilseed crops, cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions across more than 70 countries. It is highly valued for its adaptability to adverse climatic conditions, particularly drought and high temperatures, due to its deep root system and low water requirement. India ranks among the leading producers of sesame, with cultivation spread over 1.77 million hectares and a productivity of 456 kg/ha (Anonymous, 2016; Singh et al., (2017). Sesame seeds are rich in oil (46–52%), proteins, antioxidants, and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. These properties make sesame a functional food with applications in the culinary, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, despite its resilience and economic value, sesame yields remain low, primarily due to poor soil fertility, limited input use, and traditional agronomic practices.
Among organic nutrient sources, bonemeal has shown considerable potential in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. It is a slow-release organic fertilizer rich in phosphorus and calcium, essential for root development, photosynthesis, and cell wall strengthening. Application of bonemeal improves phosphorus availability in the rhizosphere, particularly in acidic or phosphorus-deficient soils, thereby enhancing early plant vigor and yield components. Its use not only supports sustainable nutrient management but also aligns with organic farming practices aimed at reducing chemical fertilizer dependence (Tesfaye et al., (2021) Sharma et al., (2013), Hussain et al., (2020).
In addition to organic nutrient supplementation, intercropping is a promising agroecological practice that improves land use efficiency, resource utilization, and overall system productivity. When sesame is intercropped with compatible species, particularly legumes, it benefits from enhanced soil nitrogen through biological fixation, reduced weed competition, and minimized pest and disease pressure. Intercropping also contributes to soil conservation and income diversification, making it especially beneficial for smallholder farmers aiming to improve productivity without expanding cultivated land (Agegnehu et al., (2017), Lithourgidis et al., (2011).
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the investigation it may be concluded that T 7 (Bone meal at 80 kg/ha + intercropping 2:2) performed exceptionally in all growth and yield parameters and in obtaining maximum seed yield of sesame. Hence, (Bone meal at 80 kg/ha + intercropping 2:2) is beneficial for future use.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT The author are thankful to Department of agronomy, Himalayan University, jullang, Itanagar 791111, Arunachal Pradesh, India for providing us necessary facilities to undertake the studies
