Effect of organic management on agronomic performance of sesame and on soil properties.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2005-2009 to assess the yield and quality of sesame, and soil properties under organic vis-à-vis conventional production. During the initial three years, organic sesame yield was about 20% less compared to conventional farming. However, in the fourth and fifth year, the grain yield reduction under organic farming was 7.7 and 7%, respectively compared with conventional farming. However, the soil organic C, P, K, micronutrients, dehydrogenase activity and soil microbial biomass carbon were higher in the plots under farming. The incidence of major insect-pests and diseases were similar under both organic and conventional farming except that the pod borer incidence was high in organic sesame. The cost of cultivation of sesame was ` 10800 and 14050 ha-1 under conventional and organic farming, respectively. At least 40% price premium for organic sesame may be required to offset the higher cost of cultivation and low yields under organic production system compared with conventional production system particularly during initial years.