Abstract

A two-year study was carried out to evaluate the seed yield potentials of thirteen sesame accessions in the derived savanna agro-ecology of Southeastern Nigeria. It was aimed at selecting high yielding accessions for cultivation in this zone. This is a part of a research programme mounted to arouse farmer’s interest in the cultivation of sesame in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria. The accessions are Adaukiari, Chimkwale yellow, 34-4-1, Cameroun white, Parchequeno, E8, Aliade, Kachia, Jigawa, Chimkwale, 69-1-9, Yobe gadaka and NCRI BEN 02M. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. The result indicated significant variation among the accessions in seed yield parameters. It also showed that some of the accessions produced outstanding seed yield as comparable to yields obtained in the sesame producing areas in Nigeria. Accessions 34-4-1, Cameroon white and Chimkwale which showed high seed yields of 863.9, 775.6 and 640.3 kg/ha, respectively, were recommended to farmers in the zone.

Key words: Sesame, accessions, seed yield, derived savanna, agro-zone.