Growing sesame from seeds: The supply of essential fat for our body comes from oilseeds. Mustard, sesame, almond, and sunflower are the most cultivated oilseeds crops. Comparing to all these oilseeds crops, sesame can be easily cultivated in all types of soil throughout the year. The sesame plant (Sesamum indicum) is mainly grown for its seeds. Sesame plant largely growing commercially for producing oil from the seeds. The taste and aroma of sesame oil are excellent and it is an anti-inflammatory high-quality edible oil.
Nutritional value and medicinal properties
Sesame oil contains linoleic fatty acids and proteins. It is cholesterol-free and acts as a source of essential fatty acids. Sesame oil contains more unsaturated fatty acids than mustard oil. Mustard oil is high in saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids of this oil increase blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. So eating more mustard oil is harmful to health. In comparison, the use of sesame oil is healthier and safer.
Uses of sesame oil
Not only used as edible oil, but it is also used in making soaps and cosmetics. A variety of products, including soaps and pharmaceuticals are produced from sesame. Home gardeners grow it as a fun plant to produce for the seeds and cooking. It is also used to make a delicious paste called tahini. Sesame oil cake is very delicious food for cows and buffaloes.
Step-by-step Guide of Growing sesame from seeds
From sowing to harvesting, there are a number of rules to follow sesame cultivation. In this article, we’ll know about how to grow sesame, sesame plant, sesame plant images, sesame planting guide, how to grow sesame leaves, how to germinate sesame seeds, harvesting sesame seeds, growing sesame seeds in Florida. Let’s dig into deep.
Suitable land and soil
Sesame can be cultivated in almost all types of soil. However, loamy and sandy loamy soils are good in the soil. Sesame plants can survive in hot, dry weather. Make sure you choose a location of full sun for your sesame plants and that drains well.
Land preparation
Land should be well prepared by plowing. Weeds and plant debris should be removed. Soil clods should be broken down.
Sowing time
Sowing/planting sesame seeds depends on the local climate. However, seeds should be sow about four to six weeks before the last expected frost is a good time to start them. Sesame is best started indoors 4 weeks prior to the last frost of spring.
Seed sowing
Sesame seeds can be sown in two ways. First, seeds sowing scattered and firmly in the land. Second, sowing seeds in rows. If we sow seed in rows, the distance from row to row will be 30 cm. The amount of seed per hectare is 7.5-8.5 kg. However, light soil should be used to cover the seed and it will keep the seeds warm.
If you want to plant sesame in your small garden then plant
sesame in full sunlight spaced 2-3 feet apart to allow healthy development.
Once established, sesame can thrive even in high temperatures with little
water.
Fertilizer management
Fertilizer should be applied after testing the soil. The amount of fertilizer may be more or less depending on the fertility of the land and the agro-environmental zone. However, in general, 60-70 kg urea fertilizer, 110-130 kg TSP (Tri-super phosphate) fertilizer, 45-55 kg MOP (Muriate of potash) fertilizer can be applied per hectare. Half of the urea fertilizer and the rest of the other fertilizers should be well mixed in the soil at the time of the last plowing of land preparation. The remaining half of urea should be applied 25-30 days after sowing.
Irrigation and weed management
Consider using raised beds for better drainage it is not
necessary to irrigate the land. But if there is no enough moisture in the soil,
it is necessary to give irrigation. If weeds appear in the land, they should be
removed. The density of the plant should be reduced 15-20 days after sowing.
Disease and pest management
Disease: Leaf blight is caused by the fungus
Alternaria. The disease first attacks the leaves with uneven dark brown spots.
As the spots gradually grow, many spots come together and occupy most of the
leaf space. If the attack is high, the leaves fall off.
Management: As soon as the disease occurs, apply 2 g Dithene-M-45
per liter of water and apply it on the land 2/3 times.
In the case of leaf curl (caused by a virus called leaf curl virus) the diseased plants should be removed and it is better to spray any one of the infectious pesticides.
Pest: Although the attack of insects on sesame trees
is less, the larvae of the insects can damage the yield by eating the leaves.
Management: Organic pesticides such as bionim 2 ml /L at the early stages of the attack. It should be mixed with water and sprayed.
Harvesting
The plants will begin flowering at the mid-summer. At the end of the summer or early fall, the plants will begin to develop seed pods. At the end of the blossom, the seeds begin to ripe and ready for harvesting. Adequate care should be taken during harvesting sesame. If the crop is harvested late, the seeds fall in the field, and if harvested in advance, many seeds remain immature, in both cases the yield is reduced.
Seed storage
After harvesting the pods should be store carefully. At first, lie them flat to dry. Then you can collect the seeds by hitting them against the side of a pail. To maintain good seed quality, clean seeds should be packed in a thick or stiff polythene bag and stored in a relatively cool place with low humidity. Seed moisture must be 8 to 9 percent during storage. It is better if the seeds can be purified and stored with Bavistin (at the rate of 2 g per kg of seed). This preserving method will keep the quality of the seeds good and germination capacity will not easily be lost. Remember to keep some extras for additional sesame seed propagation next season.
Keyword: Ultimate Guide Of Growing Sesame From Seeds (Simple 9 Steps)