Influence of pre-application handling techniques of Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A. Gray residues on sesame, in south-western Nigeria.

The nature of organic plant residues to be applied or the pre-application handling techniques adopted by farmers should be adequately considered since efficient utilization of nutrients in the organic residues by crop-plants is nature-at-application dependent. Comparative greenhouse studies were carried out between July and October, 2006, at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R. & T), Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the effects of pre-application handlings of Tithonia on growth and yield components of sesame. The treatments introduced were Tithonia diversifolia residues applied (at the recommended N-rate) as green, dried, composted and ash, urea, and the control. The trial was arranged in a completely randomized design, replicated three times. Green Tithonia-residues significantly (p < 0.05) improved Sesame growth and yield parameters compared to urea and other organic manures applied. Application of green Tithonia biomass resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher oil contents and increased number of capsules per plant by 361.1 % and 384.5 % at Ogbomoso and Ibadan respectively. The least oil contents were obtained from Tithonia ash application, which were not significantly different from the control at both locations. Thus, Tithonia biomass is a potential fertilizer material that could be best applied in green form. Moreso, burning of Tithonia plant residues or use of Tithonia ash should be discouraged for effective and efficient utilization of its nutrients.