Fruit biometry and physiological quality of Sesamum indicumseeds from plants fertilized with bovine manure

Abstract

Sesame is among the top ten oilseeds produced in the world. For high productivity it is necessary to use seeds with high physiological quality. Nourished plants generally produce vigorous seeds. The objective of this research was to evaluate the fruit biometry and the physiological quality of sesame seeds of plants fertilized with bovine manure. The experiment for seed production was carried out in the agricultural sector of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, in randomized blocks. The plants were fertilized with four doses of bovine manure (0, 20, 40 and 60 t ha-1). After the harvest, fruit biometry, germination potential and seed vigor were measured. The increase in the doses of cattle manure provided larger fruits. The germination, first germination count and the rate of twinning increased when the seeds were obtained from fertilized plants. The seeds of plants fertilized with bovine manure gave more vigorous seedlings, presenting length and dry mass with higher values when compared withthe plants that were not fertilized