Agro-management effects on fatty acid composition of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The fatty acid composition was evaluated in field grown sesame cultivars (Sesamum indicum L.) at New Developmental Farm Agriculture University, Peshawar, KPK Pakistan during summer 2012. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with split plot arrangement having four replications each. Two sesame cultivars viz., local black and local white were sown at different dates i.e. 20 June, 10 and 30 July, and supplied with various nitrogen levels @ 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha. Results deciphered that sowing dates had significantly affect all the parameters except oil content. Crop grown on 20 June had significantly maximum palmitic acid (8.9%), elaidic acid (0.07%), linoleic acid (40%) and octadecadienoic acid (4.1%) while crop sown on 30 July produced maximum stearic acid (4.4%) and oleic acid (42.6%). Local white cultivar had significantly more palmitic acid (8%), elaidic acid (0.06%) and linoleic acid (38.7%) while less oil contents (45%), stearic acid (3%) and oleic acid (39.6%). Nitrogen application had also significantly affected all mentioned parameters. Plots treated with 120 kg N ha produced maximum oil contents (52%), palmitic acid (10%), stearic acid (4.3%), oleic acid (43.2%), elaidic acid (0.07%), linoleic acid (40.5%) and octadecadienoic acid (4%) as compared to their control plots. The interaction between sowing dates, nitrogen levels and sesame cultivars indicated that crop sown on 20 June with local white cultivar and treated with 120 kg N ha had significantly maximum oil content, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and octadecadienoic acid, but its stearic acid and oleic acid was significantly higher when crop sown on 30 July with local black cultivar. It was observed that local white cultivar sown on 20 June treated with 120 kg N ha produced maximum oil contents and fatty acid composition.