Impact of Vermicompost and Intercropping on Morphophysiological and Yield Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The scientific name of sesame is (Sesamum indicum L) belongs to the family of Pedaliaceae. Sesame is commonly known as till, simsim, beniseed etc. sesame is an oilseed plant therefore it has been used as oil since ages. Sesame crop’soil consists of 85% unsaturated fatty acid, is highly stable, reduces cholesterol, and prevents coronary heart diseases (Choudhary et al., 2017). Sesame seeds are highly beneficial as seed contain 42-50% oil (25% protein, 16-18% carbohydrate and 42% essential linoleic acid) (Miah et al., 2015).

Sesame seeds are also rich inessential minerals, including magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc. In addition, they contain vitamins Band E and have potent antioxidant properties (Langyan et al., 2022.

A wide range of animals can benefit from eating sesame oilcake, such as poultry, fish, cattle, goats, and sheep (Khan et al., 2009).

India and China are the world’slargest producers of sesame, followed by Myanmar, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Pakistan and Paraguay (FAOSTAT, 2022). India ranks first in world with 19.47 Lakh ha area and 8.66 Lakh tones production.

India is one of the four major players in the global oilseeds/vegetable oils scenario, being one of the important oilseed grower, producer, importer, and exporter (Deand Sinha, 2011).

India’smajor gains in oilseeds export have come from sesame apart from groundnut and gained 90% of European and 50% of US market in oilseed export (Vittal et al., 2004). Vermicomposting is one of the biological processes in which the organic wastes has been converted into nutrient rich manure by the action of earthworms. The characteristic feature of vermicompost such as high porosity and moisture holding capacity increases the growth of pathogen free plants (Yadav and Garg 2019).

Vermicompost has positive effects on plant growth and soil structure. One of the attractive elements of vermicompost production is its positive effect on the environment. This is because the materials used as worm feed have a wide range of organisms that can rot in nature. Any material such as plant, animal, industrial and urban wastes can be transformed into beneficial fertilizers through the digestive system of worms (Edwards, 1995).

Intercropping is a sustainable strategy that includes cultivating many crop species together in the same area to take advantage of the beneficial interactions between them (Maitra et al., 2021).

Organic materials are a major source of organic matter and plant nutrients, incorporating organic materials into soil results in improved soil physical attributes namely, soil structure, soil aggregate stability, water holding capacity, soil drainage, soil aeration and root penetration and soil chemical attributes namely. soil nutrient content and composition and soil pH (Carswell et al., 2001 and Murphy 2015).

Application of organic manures on sesame inform of crop residues and animal manure would most likely improve its yields and seed quality (Morris et al., 2002).