Effect of Drought Stress on Agronomic Traits of Sesame Genotypes in Behbahan Region

Drought stress in sesame happens regularly during September in Behbahan region. This research was carried out in two separate experiments based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Behbahan Agricultural Research Station for two years (2012 and 2013). In the first experiment irrigation was after 100mm (usual irrigation) and in the second experiment after 200mm evaporation from class A pan (stress). Genotypes were L5-84215, L5-86365 and Safiabadi lines, Yellow White cultivar and Behbahan local population (check). Combined variance analysis results showed that in both experiments the effect of genotype was significant at 1% probability level on pod number per plant, 1000 seed weight and seed yield. In the first experiment (usual irrigation) the heightest seed yield was produced by Behbahan local population (1286 kgha-1). In the second experiment (stress) the heightest seed yield was produced by Behbahan local population (741 kgha-1). L5-86365 line had the lowest stress susceptibility index (0.92). Safiabadi line had the lowest tolerance index (272.93). Behbahan local population had the heightest stress tolerance index (0.99), mean productivity (1013.52) and geometric mean productivity (976.24). Behbahan local population had the heightest water productivity (0.26 kgm-3 in the first year and 0.23 kgm-3 in the second year). Due to the higher seed yield in normal and stress conditions, favorable amounts of drought tolerance indices and water use efficiency of sesame Behbahan local population, this population can be recommended for cultivation in Behbahan regions.