Effects of Trichoderma harzianum, Effective Microorganisms, and Plant Density on the Yield of Sesamum indicum L. under Tropical Humid Conditions: A Field Study in Pichari, Peru

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant density, Trichoderma harzianum, and effective microorganisms (EM) on the agronomic performance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under tropical conditions in Pichari, Peru. A 2×2×2 factorial arrangement was established within a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with eight treatments and three replications. Five variables were measured: plant height, fruiting height, capsule length, number of capsules per plant, and grain yield. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found for plant height (p = 0.0147), number of capsules per plant (p = 0.0140), and grain yield (p = 0.0197), primarily due to the application of T. harzianum and its interaction with EM (p = 0.0424). The highest yield (1252.00 kg/ha) was achieved with 143,000 plants/ha combined with T. harzianum. These results suggest that T. harzianum, alone or in synergy with EM, significantly enhances sesame yield, making it a viable sustainable strategy for high-humidity tropical environments.