Journal of Crop Production and Processing

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Darabi A, Rafie M, Ghodreti G R, Shariati F. Evaluation of the Seed and Oil Yield, Yield Components and Agronomic Traits, and Correlation Cofficient in Some Sesame Genotypes in Behbahan, Southwest of Iran. Journal of Crop Production and Processing 2025; 15 (3) :45-62
URL: http://jcpp.iut.ac.ir/article-1-3365-en.html

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) has the highest oil content among the major oil crops, up to 45~57درصد, which is why it has been known as the “Queen of Oil” since ancient times. Sesame oil is reported to contain 80درصد unsaturated fatty acids, a small amount of saturated fatty acids and 9.21% protein. Its oil contains omega-3 that can inhibit platelet aggregation and decrease blood pressure. Sensitivity to diseases, low grain yield, indeterminate growth habit, and grain shattering at the time of ripening are the main challenges causing a lower attention of the researchers and farmers in sesame, compared with other oilseed crops. One of the most important factors that affects qualitative and quantitative traits of sesame is the reaction of cultivars to climatic conditions. This research was conducted to evaluate the grain and oil yield, yield components, agronomical traits, and correlation coefficient in 11 sesame genotypes in Behbahan region, in southwest of Iran. 

Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in 2022 and 2023 in the research farm of Behbahan Agricultural Research Station, Khuzestan, Iran. The experiment encompassed a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments, including: 9 promising lines and Behbahan Local sesame and commercial cultivar named Shevin and three replicates. Before planting, soil in experimental plots was plowed and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers were applied based on results of soil analysis and recommendation of Soil and Water Institute Research of Iran. All plots received the 50 kg ha-1 superphosphate triple and 50 kg ha-1 potassium sulfate during soil preparation. Nitrogen was applied at a rate of 150 kg ha-1 urea in three steps, one third before planting, one third after seedlings thinning and the rest in flowering stage. Experimental unit was a plot containing four rows of 6 m in length, with the two outer rows acting as border rows. Seeds of each cultivar was hand-planted at 0.60-m row spacing in mid July. The within-row spacing after thinning was 10 cm. Grains were harvested in mid-November. Before harvesting, plant height, sub-branches/plant, capsules/plant, grains/capsule, thousand grain weight, plant percentage infection to damping-off and phyllody, grain yield, grain oil concentration and oil yield in studied genotypes were recorded. Results from experiments of each year were analyzed using SPSS soft ware. Significant differences among treatments means were determined at 0.05 probabiliy level using Duncan's procedure. 


Received: Feb. 01, 2025; Revised: Apr. 30, 2025; Accepted: May. 17, 2025; Published Online: Sep 03, 2025.
* Corresponding Author: darabi6872@yahoo.com    
Results and Discussion: The highest grain yield (1264 kg ha-1) was recorded in line 2 in the first year of experiment. The grain yields of line 9 and Behbahan local sesame were not significantly smaller in comparison to line 2. In the seconed year Behbahan local sesame produced the highest yield (2381 kg ha-1). Grain yield of this genotype was not significantly higher in comparison to lines 2 and 1. The maximum oil concentration (51.3%) was found in line 2 in the first year, howevere the grain oil concentration in lines 1, 3 and 4, Shevin cultivar and Behbahan local sesame were not significantly smaller as compared with line 2. In the seconed year, the maximum oil percentage (58.9) belonged to line 1, grain oil percentage in lines 2 and 4 and Behbahan local sesame was not significantly different from line 1. The maximum oil yield (548 kg ha-1) was recorded in line 2 in the first year, oil yield in Behbahan local sesame was not significantly smaller in comparion with line 2. In the second year, the highest oil yield (1386 kg ha-1) was found in Behbahan local sesame, oil yield in lines 1 and 2 was not significantly smaller than Behbahan local sesame. The correlation between plant height and grain yield was significant positive at 1درصد probability level. The correlation among grain yield and capsules/plant and grains/capsule were significant positive at 1درصد probability level. It can be concluded that capsules/plant and grains/capsule are the main components responsible for the coarse-regulation of sesame grain yield, and increasing these traits, either through the genetic improvement or appropriate agronomic management, will lead to increased grain yield. The correlation between thousand seed weight and grain oil concentration was significant positive at 1درصد probability level, revealing that genotypes with larger grains are capable of producing grains with a high oil concentration.

Conclusions: Based on the results, Behbahn local genotype and line 2 were ranked in the superior group, in terms of oil and grain yield in two years of experiment and are recommended for sesame cultivation in the Behbahan region.