YIELD VARIATIONS IN SESAMUM SOWN AT MONTHLY INTERVALS IN SUB-HUMID LATERITIC ACID TRACT OF WEST BENGAL

The results of the field experiment revealed that sesame was sensitive to low tempe- rature, but the variety B-67 was less affected due to low temperature as observed from its growth duration. It took 8 to 16 days less time to mature and produced 1.7 q/ha more yield than that of improved local. Growth continued for a long duration when the crop was sown in October (110-126 days) and this was followed by February and Sep- tember sown crop (90-108 days). Crop grown in Kharif season matured early (80-90 days). Tall plants were found in June sown crop of B-67 and April sown crop of Improved local. Maximum yield (17 q ha) was recorded in March sown crop followed by February and August sown crop. The October sown crop produced lowest yield (4.5 a/ha). The yield obtained from the crops sown in other months ranged from 7.4 g/he to 9.4 q/ha. The oil content ranged from 43.5% in wet months to 46.5% in ether months. The high yield was associated with high number of branches and pods per plant with large number of bold seeds. 8-67 proved to be superior in this zone.