Effect of sowing dates and fertilization regimes on yield and its attributes of three sesame varieties under sandy soil conditions

Two field experiments were carried out in the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, ýZagazig University at Khattara region, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during the two ýsuccessive summer seasons 2009 and 2010 to study the effect of two sowing dates (early ýsowing on May 1. t and late sowing on May 25. h) and five fertilization regimes [F1: ýNPK (60 kg N + 31 kg P205 + 50 kg K20/fad), F. ,:Organic manure (2 ton ýCompost/fad), F3: Organic manure + Biofertilizers (Cerealine + Microbien), F4: Organic ýmanure + 1 /2 of the NPK used, F. : Organic manure Biofertilizers + 1/2NPK] on yields ýand its attributes of three sesame varieties (Shandaweel 3, Toshka 1 and Giza 32). A ýsplit- split plot design with three replications was used. The most important results could ýbe summarized as follows: The combined analysis revealed a significant difference ýbetween the two tested sowing dates, in general early sowing date May 1st produced ýhigher number of capsules/plant, seed weight/plant, 1000seeds weight, seed oil ýpercentage as well as seed and oil yields/ fad. Meanwhile, late sowing date May 25th ýresulted in longer fruiting zone length and low stem height to the first capsule. Significant ýdifferences were found among the studied sesame varieties as shown from the combined ýdata. In general, Giza 32 variety surpassed the other tested varieties in fruiting zone ýlength, capsule number/plant, seed weight/plant, seed oil percentage as well as seed and ýoil yields/fad, and had the lowest significantly weight for 1000-seeds. However, ýShandaweel 3 variety gave the lowest values in height to first branch and capsule. With ýregard to fertilization regimes, application of (F1) significantly increased capsule ýnumber/plant, seed weight/plant, as well as seed and oil yields/fad, and decreased height ýto first branch. Meanwhile, application (F2) gave the lowest significant values for height ýto first branch, capsule number/plant, seed weight/plant as well as seed yield/fad. ýMoreover, (F4) resulted the lowest significant value of oil yield/fad.ý