Hasan Keshavarz, Barmak Jafari Haghighi, Abdolreza Jafari, Hamidreza Miri, Hamidreza Ebrahimi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 ((Spring and Summer) 2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming, sulfur application, and a biofertilizer containing Thiobacillus on seed yield and the fatty acid composition of sesame. Due to the importance of sesame as a valuable oilseed crop, evaluating the combined role of nutritional and biological management in improving both quantitative and qualitative traits of the crop holds significant importance.
Method: A field experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing season in Fasa County, Fars Province, Iran, as a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included four seed priming methods (no prime, hydropriming, calcium chloride at 2.5% and 5%), four levels of sulfur application (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1), and three levels of Thiobacillus inoculation (0, 2, and 4 kg ha-1). Sesame cultivar ‘Darab 2’ was sown at a density of 40 plants m-2. Thousand-seed weight, dry matter and seed yield were measured. Oil quality was evaluated through fatty acid methyl ester analysis using gas chromatography according to ISIRI and AOAC standards.
Results: Seed priming, sulfur application, and Thiobacillus biofertilization significantly affected all the studied traits. Both two-way and three-way interactions were significant at 1% and 5% levels. The highest plant dry weight (23,580 kg ha-1) was observed in the treatment of hydro-priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur. Additionally, the highest thousand seed weight (5.33 g) and seed yield (2610 kg ha-1) were recorded in the treatment of hydro-priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur and 4 kg ha-1 Thiobacillus. The highest oil percentage (52.2%) and protein content (25.10%) were obtained in the treatment of 5% calcium chloride priming combined with 300 kg ha-1 sulfur and 4 kg ha-1 Thiobacillus. The fatty acid analysis revealed that integrated treatments increased the content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, alpha-linolenic) while decreasing saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic).
Conclusions: The integrated use of seed priming (especially 5% calcium chloride or hydropriming), high-dose sulfur, and Thiobacillus inoculation significantly improved sesame seed yield, and oil quality. These practices enhanced nutrient uptake, stimulated microbial activity, and promoted biosynthesis of health-beneficial fatty acids.
Highlights
- Seed priming, sulfur application, and Thiobacillus inoculation significantly increased sesame seed yield.
- Combined treatments improved seed oil quality by increasing unsaturated fatty acids and reducing saturated ones.
