Effect of compost and chemical fertilizer application on soil physical properties and productivity of sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Pakistan, although less soil fertility (organic matter) and suboptimal application of fertilizers cause nutrient depletion and yield decline. Extensive use of inorganic fertilizers without soil physiochemical analysis is problematic in terms of soil fertility and crop productivity. The application of compost combined with or without chemical fertilizer is considered as a sustainable agricultural production system because it enhances crop productivity and soil fertility. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the effects of bio-fertilizer (organic compost) (Bio-F), chemical fertilizer (RDF), and controlled (CK) farming treatments on some soil physical properties and crop yield. The seven different farming treatments based on N equivalency (compost nutritional analysis) including sole compost levels (20 and 30 t ha⁻¹), sole chemical fertilizer (NPK, 30 kg ha⁻¹), integrated fertilizer treatments (compost + RDF), and a controlled treatment were laid in a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications under the same experimental field conditions from 2017 to 2020 cropping seasons. Before sesame production, soil samples at a depth of (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm) were analyzed to determine the effect of different farming treatments on soil physical properties. A significantly higher grain yield of sesame (805.1 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained from Bio-F₃ integrated fertilizer application (30 t ha⁻¹ + ½ RDF). The treatments with higher doses of bio-fertilizer (compost) have a significant reduction in soil weight (bulk density), while the increase has been observed in the porosity values. Compared with sole RDF and Bio-F, integrated farming treatments have significantly improved the soil field capacity, available moisture to plants and wilting point. Therefore, the integrated farming system (chemical fertilizer + compost) is recommended for sustainable agroecology and crop production.