SESAME

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) belongs to family Pedaliaceae. It is commonly known as

til, is one of the important edible oilseeds cultivated in India. Its seeds are rich of edible oil
containing 46-52% oil and 20-26% protein content. Nearly 73% of the oil is used for edible
purposes, where as 8.3% for hydrogenation and 4.2% for industrial purposes in the manufacture
of paints, pharmaceuticals and insecticides. Sesame oil is also used in soap, cosmetic and skin
care industries. The oil is very stable and does not turn rancid. It has antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-
fungal and anti-oxidant properties. Since sesame seed oil is cholesterol free, it is also used in
health food industries. Seeds are used as fried and mixed with sugar and in several forms in
sweet meats. White seeded sesame is extensively used in bakery products such as bread, bread
sticks, cookies, candies, pasta, vegetables and curry dishes. Black seeded sesame has medicinal
properties. The oil cake is an edible cake, rich in methionine, cysteine, arginine and tryptophan.
It is used as cattle feed especially for milch animals. It is being used as a valuable ingredient upto
5% in well formulated poultry feed. It can also be used as manure. Cake contains 6.0-6.2% N,
2.0-2.2% P2O5 and 1.0-1.2% of potash. The fatty acid composition of sesamum oil reveals that
linoleic, oleic, palmatic and stearic acids are major constituent.
Origin and history
Sesame is presumed to have originated in Africa and later spread to West Asia to India, China
and Japan. However, it is also believed that cultivated sesame originated in India. Sesame in wild
form (black) was found in India as its use in religious function is mentioned in Sanskrit, and
spread to Mesopotania and then to Babylonia, Egypt, China, Greece etc. The genus Sesamum
consists of 35 recognized species (Total is over 60). Out of these, S. indicum L. is cultivated
extensively. The other 6 partially cultivated species include S. radiatum (India, Africa, Sri
Lanka), S. angustifolium (Congo, Mozambique, Uganda), S. occidentale (Africa, Sri Lanka,
India), S. calycinum (Angola, Mozambique), S. bauymii (Angola). All other species are wild and
found in tropical African countries. Nine wild species have been found in peninsular India.
Area and distribution
Sesame is the crop of tropical and subtropical areas. It is grown on 6.5 m ha, producing over 3 m
tonnes of seed. Myanmar India, China, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Nigeria account for 68% of
world production. India accounts for the lion’s share of 39% area, 27% production and 40 %
export of sesame in the world. In India, its cultivation is mostly confined to Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West
Bengal, Orissa and Assam both red and black seeded sesame are grown, while in Gujarat and
other western states, only white seeded sesame is grown.
Classification
Based on maturity period, sesame cultivars are classified as: Early (possess less
number of flowers and branches) and Late (possess more number of flowers and branches)
types. Based on seed coat colour, they are grouped into white and black seeded cultivars.
Using the number of carpels in the capsules, sesame cultivars are classified as Bicarpellatum
(two carpels) and Quadri carpellatum (four capels in the capsule).
Climatic requirement
It is a short day plant of tropics and subtropics with an annual rainfall requirement of 40-60 cm.
It grows in the plains and hilly regions up to an elevation of 1,300 m. It is sensitive to both low
(< 20oC) as well as high temperature (>40oC), the optimum being 27-33oC. At temperatures
below 10oC, germination and seedling growth is inhibited. A temperature of 25- 27°C
encourages rapid germination, initial growth and flower formation. Low temperatures at
flowering can result in the production of sterile pollen, or pre-mature flower drop. It is
susceptible to both frost and waterlogging. The crop can withstand drought after establishment.
Soil requirement
The crop prefers well-drained clay loam to sandy loam soils with good water holding capacity
and moderate fertility. Under irrigated conditions, the crop can be grown successfully in
medium-textured soils. Very sandy alkaline and acidic soils are not suitable for its cultivation.
The crop can grow in soils with 5.0-8.0 pH
Field preparation
Seeds of sesame are very small; hence require fine seed bed preparation for proper germination
of the seeds. The fine tilth can be obtained by one deep ploughing in summer followed by 2 cross
harrowings and planking. The land should be levelled to avoid waterlogging.
Seed rate and spacing
The seed rate varies from 5-6 kg/ha in broadcast sowing 3-4 kg/ha in line sowing. Treat the seed
before sowing with Cerasan or Agrosan GN @ 2 g/kg of seed. Seed treatment with Carbendazim
(0.01%) + Thiram (0.4%) or Trichoderma viridi (0.4%) may reduce the incidence of
Macrophomina stem/root rot disease. The most commonly adopted spacing is 30 cm x 15 cm in
kharif. A wider spacing (45 cm x10/15 cm) is adopted in Gujarat, Maharashtra and rabi season.
In Tamil Nadu, square planting of 22.5 x 22.5 cm in kharif and 30 cm x 30 cm in rabi /summer
has been recommended. The depth of sowing should be shallow i.e. between 4-5 cm. As the seed
is very small in size, therefore, for the uniform distribution, seeds should be mixed with dry soil
or sand or powdered farm yard manure. Thinning should be done at 3 weeks after sowing.
Sowing time
The proper time for planting of sesamum under northern Indian conditions is last week of June to
first week of July or with the onset of monsoon. In South India sowing time during Kharif season
may vary from May to July and for Rabi season from October to November. Sesame has also
gained popularity as a summer crop (January-May) after potato or late rice in West Bengal, Bihar
and Orissa. However, in south India, the crop is taken in all the 3 seasons.
Cropping system
Kharif sesame is usually grown both as pure and mixed crop. In north India, it is generally grown
mixed with pigeonpea, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, cotton and maize crops. A pure crop of
sesamum is followed by a crop of linseed, chickpea, barely, lentil etc. Intercropping with
groundnut (2:4) and chickpea (3:3) results in higher total productivity in Tamil Nadu. In the
eastern region it is normally sown after the potato crop.
Varieties
White-seeded varieties have higher percentage of oil in the seed than the black-seeded ones.
Haryana TiI 1: This variety matures in 75-80 days. Plants are tall. It is a White seeded variety.
Seeds contain 49 per cent oil. Yield potential is 5-6 q/ha. It is resistant to leaf curl and phylody
diseases.
Krishna: This variety matures in 85-100 days. Seeds are black in colour and contain 47 per cent
oil. Yield potential is 8-9 q/ha.
Tapti: It is a bold, white seeded variety, which matures in 78-82 days. Seeds contain about 50
per cent oil. It is suitable to grow in Maharashtra state. Yield potential is 6-7 q/has.
Gujarat Til-1: This variety matures in 85-90 days. Seeds are of light brown colour and contain
51 per cent oil. Yield potential is 5-6 q/has.
Mirag-1: It is white seeded variety which matures in 85-90 days. This Variety is suitable to
grow in Gujarat state. Seeds contain 53 per cent oil. Yield potential is 5-6 qt per hectares.
Type-12: It is a white seeded variety, which matures in 85-90 days. Plants are of medium height
(1.25-1.50 m). Arrangement of capsules on stem is alternate. The average number of capsules per
plant is 100. It yields 6-10 quintals of seed per hectare having oil content of 52 per cent. It is
suitable for whole of Uttar Pradesh.
Type-4: It is also a white seeded variety. It matures in 95-100 days. Its seeds contain 52 per cent
oil. It yields about 6-9 quintals of seed per hectare. It is suitable for Bundelkhand tract of Uttar
Pradesh. It is erect with a few branches and has opposite-phyllotaxy.
Punjab Til No-1: This is a white seeded variety, which matures in 80 days. Plants are tall (1.30-
1.60 metre). Arrangement of capsules on stem is alternate. The average number of capsules per
plant is 100. Seeds are bold (3.4 g per 1000 seeds) and contain 53 per cent oil. It produces 4-6
quintals of seed per hectare. This variety is suitable for growing during kharif season in Haryana
and Punjab.
Pratap: This variety was evolved from Kota in Rajasthan. It matures in 95-100 days. Plants bear
six pods at each node. Seeds are white in colour, having oil content of 48 per cent. It yields about
5-10 quintals of seed per hectare. It is suitable for the heavier soil region of Rajasthan.
N-32: This variety was developed at J.N. Krishi Vishwavidyalay, Jabalpur. It is an erect type of
plant having a few branches. It matures in 96 days. Average number of capsules per plant is 105.
The arrangement of capsules on stem is alternate. Seeds are of dull white colour and contain 53.6
per cent oil. An average crop Yield is about 7-8 q/ha. It is a cosmopolitan variety.
Gouri: This variety matures in 90 days. Plants are tall and branched. Seeds are medium, brown
and smooth and contain 50 per cent oil. It is suitable to grow in Kharif as well as Rabi seasons in
Andhra Pradesh. Its yield potential is 6-10 q/ha.
Phule Til No.1: It matures in 90-95 days. Plants height is 120 cm. Average numbers of branches
per plant are three or four. Number of capsules per plant is 45-52. Colour of flower is purple.
Capsule arrangement is alternate. Seeds are white and contain 51 per cent oil. It is suitable for
growing in central and western part of Maharashtra. Its yield potential is about 6- 10 q/ha.
B-67: It can grow well in dry season. It matures in 80-85 days. Seeds are black brown in colour
and contain 48 per cent oil. Its yield potential is 10-15 q/ha.
Fertilizer requirement
Growing sesamum on the residual fertility of the preceding crop is a common practice.
Application of 20-25 tons of compost or farm yard manure per hectare area one month prior to
sowing is good. For higher yields in addition to organic manures apply 20 to 50 kg N/ha.
Nitrogen is applied in 2 equal splits at sowing and flower initiation stage (30-35 DAS). Hoeing
of soil after top-dressing of N is essential for better response to fertilizer N. The Azospirillum
inoculation is more promising under rainfed conditions. Application of 20- 40 kg P2O5/ha at the
time of sowing has been found beneficial.
Water management
Sesamum is mainly raised as a kharif rainfed crop. The crop is rarely irrigated, in spite of the fact
that this crop is very susceptible to drought in various physiological growth stages. Hence,
during prolonged dry spells, a protective irrigation especially at flowering stage is essential for
realizing economical yields. The crop is raised under irrigation during both rabi and summer
seasons. The water requirement of sesame varies from 400-600 mm. The critical stages of
irrigation in sesame are 4-5 leaf stage, flowering and pod formation. Besides a pre-sowing
irrigation, the crop requires first irrigation after 25-40 days of sowing. Second and third irrigation
should be given at flowering and pod development stages, i.e., 45 to 50 and 60-70 day after
sowing. Light irrigations on a calm evening are recommended to avoid lodging.
Weed Management
The slow initial growth of sesame and intermittent rains provide conducive environment for
weed growth. The critical period of crop-weed competition for sesame is 20- 30 days after
sowing. Two hand weedings at 15 and 35 DAS in broadcast and line sown crop. At times of
labour scarcity and severe weed infestation pre plant incorporation of Fluchloralin (Basalin) 1 kg
a.i per hectare in 800-1000 litres of water or Alachlor at the rate of 2 kg/ha as pre-emergence
spray, may be used. The integration of herbicides with one hand weeding at 30-35 DAS provides
more efficient control of weeds.
Disease management
Phyllody: It is the most destructive disease of sesamum. This disease is caused by a
mycoplasma-like organism transmitted through leaf hoppers. The disease becomes apparent at
the flowering stage of the crop. One or more floral organs are transformed fully or partially into
green leafy structures followed by abundant vegetative growth. Seeds in such capsules are light
in weight and low in oil content. Spread of disease under field conditions should be checked by
killing the hoppers by foliar application of Oxydemeton methyl (Metasystox) 25 EC at the rate of
1 ml per litre of water.
Phytophthora Blight (Phytophthora parasitica var. sesame): The symptoms of the disease are
characterised by the appearance of small water soaked irregular spots on the leaves. These spots
later extend and enlarge and cover the entire leaf area. On stem, the brown areas spread in all
directions. The plants collapse and topple down. In early infection, plants fail to produce flower
and die pre-maturely. Select well drained fields for sowing of sesamum crop because poorly
drained soil encourages the incidence of the disease. Give three to four spray of Zineb at the rate
of 2 kg in 1000 litres of water per hectare at 10-15 days interval starting the first one with the
appearance of the disease.
Root and Stem Rot (Macrophomina phaseoli and Sclerdtium bataticola): The disease
symptoms can be observed on roots, stem, capsules and seeds of the infected plants. The roots
and collar region of the stem show brown coloration, which later extends upwards. Gradually the
whole plant becomes brown coloured. Heavily infected plants fail to produce seeds are much
shrivelled and very light in weight. Seed should be treated with Captan at the rate of 4 g per kg
seed before sowing. Continuous crop of sesamum should not to be taken in the infected fields.
Cercospora Leaf Spot (Cercospora sesami Zim.): The symptoms of the disease appear at the
flowering stage of the crop. There are light brown spots on both the surfaces of the leaf. With the
increase in size, these spots may coalesce with each other to form bigger patches of 5-15 mm
diameter on leaves. If the high humidity persists for a longer period the infected leaves become
black in colour and defoliate the plant soon. Spray Zineb at the rate of 2 kg in 1000 litres of
water per hectare. Grow resistant varieties.
Alternaria Leaf spot (Alternaria sesame): This appears as marginal lesions or small black spots
on cotyledonary leaves which spread later on the upper leaves and the plants are killed due to
severe defoliation and stem infection. Seed treatment with systemic fungicides like Benlate,
Bavistin etc., may be carried out before sowing. Spray Zineb (0.2%) at the time of disease
appearance.
Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas sesame): Small water soaked spots develop on cotyledons of
seedings coming out from infected seeds. On older seedlings, spots of dark brown to black
colour and round to angular in shape appear on the true leaves. The spots may later collapse with
each other. Such leaves fall off pre-maturely. Similar lesions may be observed on stem and
petioles also. Pre-sowing seed treatment with mixed solution of Agromycin (0.025%) and
Cerasan wet (0.05%) for nine hours. Spray the crop thrice with Bavistin at rate of 250 g ha in
250 litres of water per hectare at 10 days interval, just at the appearance of disease.
Leaf Curl: This disease is caused by Nicotiana virus 10. This virus is transmitted by an aphid.
Downward curling of the infected leaves is the most conspicuous symptom of the disease.
Colour of the infected leaves is darker. Reduction is size and brittleness are the most common
features of infected leaves. In severely infected plant capsule formation does not take place. Soil
application of phorate 10% granules at the rate of 10 kg per hectare. Spread of disease can be
controlled by killing the aphids with foliar spray of Oxydemeton Methyl (Metasystox) 25 EC at
the rate of 1 ml per litre of water.
Insect management
Leaf Roller and Capsule Borer: It is a serious pest and attacks the crop throughout its growing
season. A full grown caterpillar is of green colour with small black dots all over the body. The
caterpillars web the top leaves and bore into flower and capsules. An early attack kills the plant
as a whole while infestation in later stages on the shoots checks further growth and flowering.
Late sown crops and late varieties are damaged more. The pest is active from September to
November. Early sowing is desirable to minimize the damage. Three sprays of Dimethoate 30
EC at the rate of 1.25 litre per hectare mixed in 1000 litres of water should be done one month
after sowing, at flowering and 15 days after second spray.
Jassids: It causes loss by sucking the sap and transmitting a mycoplasma, which induces the
malformation of the inflorescence. In case of severe infestation the leaves dry up and fall. Spray
of Melathion 50 EC at the rate of 1 litre in 1000 litres of water per hectare is very effective.
Til Hawk Moth: The caterpillars of til hawk moth feed on a leaves and defoliate the plants.
Hand picking of caterpillars is quite effective. Crop may be dusted with 5 per cent Carbaryl dust
at rate of 20 kg per hectare.
Bihar Hairy Caterpillar: It is a serious pest of sesamum. The earlier instars are gregarious
feeder and are concentrated on a few plants. Mature caterpillars migrate to the other plants and
feed voraciously. It feeds on all parts of the plant leaving behind only the main stem. It is very
serious in the month of September and early October. Collect the egg masses and destroy them.
Quinalphos (Ekalux) 25 EC at the rate of 1.25 ml per litre of water.