Sesame cultivation has gained significant attention in the agricultural sector due to its numerous benefits and versatile uses. This oilseed crop, scientifically known as Sesamum indicum, is cultivated for its high-quality edible oil, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. Sesame cultivation methods involve careful selection of cultivars, appropriate soil preparation, irrigation techniques, and effective weed control measures. By understanding the methods, benefits, and weed control strategies associated with sesame cultivation, farmers can optimize their yields and reap the rewards of this valuable crop.
In the context of developing nations, destitution significantly impedes the accessibility of sustenance. Moreover, the insufficiency in the provision of animal-derived protein stands as the primary catalyst for specific health afflictions within these populations. Distinguished scholars are vigorously pursuing the exploration of cost-effective botanical protein reservoirs for assimilation into comestible formulations, thereby elevating the nutritional calibre. Historically, the predominant focus revolved around oleaginous crops, encompassing cotton, rapeseed, soy, sunflower, and peanuts, for the extraction and application of their protein isolates. However, of late, investigators have delved into the utilization of defatted sesame flour in comestible products, aimed at enriching protein content and mitigating related health maladies.
Importance of Sesame
Sesamum indicum L., internationally recognized as sesame, ranks among the most ancient oil-bearing crops and is acclaimed worldwide for its nutritional, curative, and industrial utility. Sesame seeds stand as an exceptional source of essential trace elements such as manganese and calcium, both of which contribute to the fortification of skeletal integrity. Additionally, calcium plays a pivotal role in the transmission of neural signals, muscular contractions, vascular functionality, and hormonal secretion.
Pakistan currently commands the exportation of 80% of the total sesame seed yield. At present, Iran and China emerge as the prominent purchasers of Pakistan’s sesame produce, though other nations are progressively encroaching upon market share, a trend attributed to the augmented export of hulled variants. Remarkably, China’s sesame imports constitute nearly one-third of the global production. In comparison to other crops under analogous resource allocation, sesame cultivations stand as a more lucrative endeavour, affording greater returns at reduced expenditure, and correspondingly, decreased risk.
Benefits of Sesame
- Nutritional Value: Sesame seeds are a rich source of essential nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly high in calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, making them a nutritious addition to the diet.
- Edible Oil Production: Sesame seeds are primarily cultivated for their oil, which is highly valued for its distinct flavour, stability, and health benefits. Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, such as omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to heart health and overall well-being.
- Medicinal Properties: Sesame seeds have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their potential health benefits. They contain compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which may help promote cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and support immune function.
- Culinary Versatility: Sesame seeds and sesame oil are widely used in various cuisines around the world. They add a nutty flavour and a unique texture to dishes, making them popular ingredients in sauces, dressings, baked goods, and confectioneries.
- Drought Tolerance: Sesame is known for its ability to tolerate dry conditions. It requires less water compared to many other crops, making it suitable for cultivation in regions with limited water resources or during drought periods.
- Crop Rotation and Soil Improvement: Sesame can be an excellent rotational crop, as it helps break pest and disease cycles and improves soil health. Its deep root system enhances soil structure, increases organic matter content, and improves nutrient availability for subsequent crops.
- Economic Opportunities: Sesame cultivation can provide economic opportunities for farmers. The demand for sesame-based products, such as oil, tahini, and sesame seeds, continues to grow globally, creating potential market prospects and income generation.
Land preparation for sesame:
Land preparation for sesame entails a meticulous process. Before sowing, it is recommended to execute 2-3 ploughings, complemented by thorough planking, which collectively suffice to prepare the typical soil conditions. The soil must undergo laser levelling to ensure the even distribution of irrigation water, fostering optimal conditions for germination and subsequent plant growth.
Sowing time:
Regarding the timing of sowing, the ideal window for sesame cultivation falls between the 15th of June and the 15th of July. This period aligns with the optimal conditions for successful sesame cultivation
Sowing methods:
Sowing methods play a pivotal role in addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity in agriculture. The adoption of contemporary techniques and proficient management practices within the realm of oilseed crops can mitigate the risks associated with water shortages while concurrently optimizing yield. Sesame, in particular, stands out as a remarkably resilient crop, well-suited for averting the challenges posed by drought conditions, ultimately resulting in superior yields.
The choice of sowing method is instrumental in ensuring the establishment of robust plants and facilitating their subsequent development. When sesame is sown on ridges and raised beds, it capitalises on enhanced moisture availability and retention strategies in comparison to the conventional flat sowing approach. Ridges and raised beds offer a more conducive environment for sesame cultivation, manifesting in several advantages such as increased capsule production per plant, higher seed weight per plant, and greater 1000-seed weight, as opposed to the flat and furrow sowing methods.
Notably, the ridge sowing method proves to be a more effective defence against various agricultural challenges. It aids in mitigating issues like wilting, lodging, leaf spot, and stem blight diseases, which can adversely affect crop health. Moreover, from an economic perspective, ridge planting demonstrates a favourable cost-benefit ratio, with a higher ratio of 1:2.86, surpassing that of flat-sown crops. This underlines the practicality and efficiency of ridge sowing as a strategic choice for sesame cultivation.
Weeds controls:
Weed control is of paramount importance when it comes to optimizing sesame yields. A study by Kropff and Spitters in 1991 emphasized that the primary determinant of sesame yield loss in competitive scenarios between the crop and weeds is the ratio between the relative leaf area of the weeds and that of the crop, particularly at the time of crop-canopy closure.
To combat weeds and facilitate the establishment and production of various crops, including Arachis hypogaea, Glycine max, and Sorghum bicolour, the utilization of dinitroaniline herbicides is a common practice. The effectiveness of these soil-applied herbicides hinges on several critical factors. One pivotal aspect is the herbicide’s ability to penetrate the soil, a process facilitated either by the natural infiltration of water from rainfall or irrigation or through mechanical incorporation. These herbicides serve as valuable tools in weed management, contributing to healthier crop growth and enhanced yields.
Pre-emergence used for weed control:
The use of pre-emergence herbicides in weed control for sesame was assessed, with Pendimethalin, Imazethapyr, Metribuzin, Oxyfluorfen, and Imezemox being among the options considered. These herbicides demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce weed populations. However, it’s worth noting that they also tended to delay sesame germination and inflict injury upon the sesame plants. Among the herbicides tested, Pendimethalin, either applied individually or in combination with a lower dose of Imazethapyr, proved to be less detrimental to sesame and resulted in higher yields.
Hand weeding:
In addition to herbicide-based weed control, manual weeding plays a crucial role. To maintain a relatively weed-free field, a minimum of two weeding sessions is recommended. The first should occur approximately 15 days after sowing (DAS), followed by another session around 35 DAS. For row-seeded crops, the use of blade harrows for intercultivation can be advantageous. Employing two intercultivation processes at 15 DAS and 35 DAS, coupled with one round of manual weeding, effectively keeps the field free from weeds, contributing to the overall success of sesame cultivation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the optimal approach for sesame cultivation involves sowing on raised beds followed by ridge sowing methods, accompanied by the application of 180 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg S ha-1. This combination has consistently resulted in higher yields and improved yield-related components.
Herbicides stand out as the most effective and time-efficient means of weed control. It’s worth noting that certain herbicides are designed in a manner that minimizes harm to non-target plants in the vicinity of the weeds. Therefore, chemical control methods prove to be a highly efficient approach for managing weed populations in sesame cultivation, contributing to the overall success of the crop.
Haroon Zaman Khan, Muhammad Adil, Anjum Naeem, Asif Iqbal, M. Farrukh saleem, M. Ashfaq Wahid
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad
