Effect of growth retardants and micronutrients on yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Agronomy, MIT College of Agricultural Technology in Musiri during 2024. The study aimed to examine the effects of growth retardants and micronutrients on the growth and yield of sesame cultivar TMV3. The results indicated that applying Mepiquat chloride at 125 ppm at the 0+2 leaf stage, combined with foliar applications of ZnSO4 at 0.5% and MnSO4 at 0.5% at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS), produced the highest seed yield, comparable to that achieved with Chlormequat chloride at 200 ppm under the same conditions. This treatment also yielded the highest net return of ₹22,997 and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.95.