| dc.description.abstract | Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a high value crop which is a cheap source of oil. Despite its high
value and its high oil content, its production in the country has still remained low. This is because
farmers have not been sensitized on how they can increase the production of the crop and reap its
benefits. When sesame is treated under fertilizer and at the right stages of growth, more production
will be realized and farmers will get high income from its production. . This study was aimed at
studying the growth of sesame when treated with phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers. The specific
objectives were to determine the growth indices in terms of; stem length and leaf area of sesame when
treated with nitrogen fertilizer, to determine the growth indices in terms of; stem length and leaf area of
sesame when treated with phosphorous fertilizer and to determine the growth of sesame without any
treatment. The experiment was conducted at the University of Embu farm. The experiment was laid
out in a randomized complete block design with three treatments. The treatments were replicated in four
blocks. Urea was used as a source of nitrogen fertilizer and double super phosphate (DSP) was used as
source phosphorus. Both fertilizers were applied by placement method during sowing time. A row spacing
of 60cm and interplant spacing of 45cm was used. The treatments were: X1- Control experiment; X2-
Treatment using Nitrogen fertilizer and X3- Treatment using phosphorus fertilizer. Data collected include
number of leaves, diameter of stem, leaf area and height of the plant are the parameters which will be
observed during the experiment. The data collected on number of leaves, diameter of stem ,leaf area and
plant height will be subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means to be used is Duncan’s Multiple
Range Test (DRMT) at 5% probability level. The results showed that there was a difference in the
studied parameters under different treatments. Urea had the best performance in all the studied
growth indices followed by phosphorous and then the control. The leaf area, number of leaves,
height of the sesame and stem diameter were higher in urea treatments compared to phosphorous
treatments and the control because urea has nitrogen which supports growth and development of
vegetative parts. TSP had lower effect on the growth indices studied because it supports growth
and development of roots and not vegetative parts. TSP showed better effect on the growth indices
studied compared to the control because of the fact that, it boosted root development of the sesame
and thus more nutrients were absorbed compared to the control. The study recommended that
sesame farmers should be encouraged to use nitrogen fertilizers for good development of
vegetative parts of their sesame plants. | en_US |
