Evaluation of morpho-phenological, photosynthetic and yield traits of new indehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars in response to irrigation regimes

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D Student of Agrotechnology, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Professor, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Newnham Drive, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

Introduction
The availability of water resources is a limiting factor for agricultural irrigation worldwide. Arid and semi-arid regions of the world are primarily characterized by water scarcity, which results in a decrease in available water for irrigation and consequently leads to a reduction in crop production. Water stress affects the phenological, morphological, and physiological processes of crops, resulting in reduced yield. Optimal irrigation intervals can significantly enhance water productivity without significant yield loss. This strategy can maximize crop water productivity in regions and seasons facing water scarcity. Our study aimed to investigate how different irrigation intervals affect the morpho-phenological and photosynthetic characteristics, as well as the yield, of new indehiscent sesame cultivars.
Materials and methods
To investigate the impact of different irrigation intervals on morpho-phenological, photosynthetic, and yield of new indehiscent sesame cultivars, a field experiment was conducted. The experiment was set up in a split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design with four replications in 2021-2022. The experiment was conducted in Dezful, Iran. Main plots included three irrigation regimes (irrigation after 8, 13, and 18 days), and subplots consisted of three indehiscent (Hamran, Mohajer, Barkat) and one dehiscent (Shevin) sesame cultivars. Irrigation intervals were implemented during the seedling establishment stage. The control treatment received adequate water every 8 days throughout the experiment.
Results and discussion
There were notable differences in most traits between the various cultivars and irrigation intervals. Different irrigation intervals significantly affected photosynthesis, morphological traits, and oil and grain yields of sesame cultivars. Irrigation after 18 days resulted in a significant decrease in various traits, including plant height, height of the first capsule, length of the capsule-bearing zone, days to flowering, days to the emergence of the first capsule, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll index, biomass yield, oil content, and both grain and oil yield across both years of the study. In irrigation after 13 days, only minor differences were observed in most traits. The grain yield of all cultivars significantly decreased in irrigation after 18 days in 2021 and 2022, by 41%  and 22%, respectively, compared to irrigation after 8 days. Similarly, the oil yield reduced by 49% and 26%, respectively, compared to the irrigation after 8 days. There was genetic variation in grain and oil yield across cultivars in response to irrigation intervals. Barkat and Mohajer cultivars, which showed the lowest reduction in grain yield, demonstrated greater stability in grain yield under deficit irrigation conditions compared to the Shevin cultivar, indicating seed-shattering resistance and a higher ability of these cultivars to translocate photoassimilates to reproductive structures, thereby maintaining grain yield.
Conclusion
Different irrigation intervals differently influenced the morpho-phenological and photosynthetic characteristics, as well as yield traits, of new indehiscent sesame cultivars. Irrigation after 13 days resulted in a slight decrease in grain and oil yield compared to the control, while saving approximately 28-31% of the available water. Therefore, irrigation intervals of 8 and 13 days are recommended, along with the use of Barkat and Mohajer cultivars, as a suitable strategy to improve sustainable sesame production in humid tropical areas.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 September 2025

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  • Receive Date: 29 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 13 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 18 July 2024

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