EFFECT OF SOME IRRIGATION TREATMENTS ON YIELD, WATER CONSUMPTIVE AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF SESAME

Two field experiments were conducted at Ismailia Agricultural Research station
during 2000 and 2001 seasons to study the effect of some irrigation treatments on
yield and yield components and seed oil percentage as well as some water relations
of sesame variety Giza 32. Nine irrigation treatments represent the combination
between three irrigation intervals i.e. 4,6 and 8 days both at initiative capsules stage
and maturity.
Results showed that significant differences between irrigation treatments for plant
height, fruiting zone length, number of capsules/plant, 1000 - seed weight, seed and
straw yields/fed. Sesame was irrigated at long intervals (8 days) decreased yield and
its components than irrigated at short intervals (4 days) in sandy soil. Results also
indicated that increasing water stress at any development stage led to decreased
seed oil percentage in sesame seeds.
Results showed that increasing irrigation interval of sesame led to decreased
seasonal, monthly and daily consumptive use and water use efficiency. It was shown
that irrigation of sesame at 4 days intervals during the growing season gave the
highest seed yield/fed and water use efficiency in both seasons.