Sesame Production Practices In Pakistan
Posted by Unknown in Edible Oil, Oil Seed, Pakistan, Sesame on Sunday 27 January 2013
Introduction
Sesame
or "til" is the most ancient crop cultivated for its oil in the
sub-continent. Its seeds contain between 50 and 58 % of very good
semi-drying oil, mostly with oleic and linoleic triglycerides. Its oil
is stable and does not rancid even after long exposure to air. Sesame
oil contains about 22 % and the cake about 42 % protein. Sesame oil is
used as foods (cooking and salad), medicine and soap manufacturing etc.
Its seeds and young leaves are eaten as stews and soaps in Asia.
In
Pakistan, the average area under sesame was 30300 hectares during
1985-90, whereas the average yield was 395 kg/ha. In the year of
1992-93, the area and production increased upto 82200 hectors and 34000
tons/ha and yield was 414 kg/ha. During 1996-97, both the area and
production of sesame again increased to the tune of 99500 hectares and
45000 tons/ha and yield also increased to 452 kg/ha. During 1998-99 the
area and production decreased upto 20 % while yield kg/ha remained the
same as in previous years. According to FAO estimates, Honduras and
Egypt are the leading countries producing yield of 1267 and 1063 kg/ha,
respectively. It has been proved in the country and abroad that the
yield potential of the "til" cultivars is upto 2000 kg/ha. Therefore,
the farmers must increase the area under this crop and adopt below
mentioned technology recommendations to boost per unit area productivity
of sesame in the Pakistan.
Improved Production Technology
Climate
Sesame
is mostly grown on light sandier soil as rain-irrigated crop in the
semi arid tropics and require high temperature of 35-40 C for vegetative
and reproductive growth. This crop can mainly be grown in kharif
season, and is very sensitive to excessive rainfall and water logging.
Land Selection
lthough sesame grows best on high fertilize soils, yet most suitable soils are those that posses the following properties:
- Sandy soil free from hard pans,
- good Texture soil,
- Unlikely to crust after rain
- Acid free soil
- Not prompt to water logging
Seedbed Preparation
After
soaking irrigation or rain, 2-3 ploughings and 1-2 planking are enough
to prepare fine level seed beds to ensure even seed germination.
Sowing Time
As kharif crop, the following sowing times are observed throughout the country for sesame cultivations:
- Punjab Ist July - 31st July
- Sindh 15th June - 15th July
- NWFP 15th June - 31st July
- Balochistan Ist July - 31st July
Seed Rate
Optimum
planting density (222000 plants/ha) or 22 plants per meter is very
important for high yields. To ensure good germination and crop
establishment, seeds with germination percentage of 85-90 % must be
planted. The optimum seed rate is recommended as under:
a) Line sowing 5 kg/ha (2 klg per acre)
b) Broadcasting 8 kg/ha (3 kg per acre)
Los of 100 plants per hectare results in loss of 30 rupees per hectare
Method of Planting
a. Hand Drill/ wheat drill
-
Drill the seed in lines (45 cm apart) in good moisture (water)
condition. Ensure that seed placement should be at depth of 2-2/12 cm.
b. Tractor mounted Drill
In
case of Tractor mounted drill, prior to sowing, check the drill
thoroughly and tractor speed should not exceed 8 km/hour to avoid the
uneven sowing depth and seed placement.
Sowing Depth
Surface
moisture influences the sowing depth and ultimately the seed
germination. To achieve satisfactory germination, shallow depth of 2-2
1/2 cm is recommended. Deep sowing will result in poor emergence. As the
temperature in Kharif season (June , July) is near 40 C, seed depth can
be maintained at 3.5 cm (1 1/2 inch) to avoid drying effect and
ultimately better plant emergence.
Fertilizer
Soil
fertility is the major manageable factor in sesame production. Nutrient
balance is of vital importance. To achieve the best results, apply the
fertilizers as mentioned below:
a. Urea (1/2 bag) + DAP (1 bag)/ acre or,
b. Urea (1/2 bag)+ Nitrophos (1 bag)/ acre
Apply either combination prior to sowing
Irrigation
Usually
3-4 irrigation are required during whole season. Number of irrigation
varies with the environmental conditions. In case of no rain, first
irrigation should be give at 15-20 days after sowing(DAS). Second
irrigation be also given after 30-40 DAS. Third irrigation at the time
of flowering, because the irrigation at flowering, capsule formation and
seed development is necessary to avoid moisture stress at these stages
in order to ensure better yield formation.
Thinning and Hoeing
Plant
emergence takes about 5-6 days after sowing. When the plants attain
height of 10-15 cm, single out the weak and diseases plants by keeping
10 cm spacing between plants following 222000 plants/ha. First hoeing is
done after 15-20 days and second after 30 days of germination with
khurpa or Tarphali.
Improved Varieties
The following commercial sesame varieties should be planted.
- Pb.Til-90, - P-37-40, - Til-93,
- S-17, - PR-19-9, - Ts-3
In
addition, there are various promising and improved pipeline varieties
developed by Oilseed Res Programme at National Agricultural Research
Center (NARC), Islamabad. These include:
Rattodero-1, Rattodero-2, Sanghar-1, Johi-1, VCR No.5, S-209.
The yield potential of these improved varieties is upto 1800 kg/ha.
Weed Control
During
the first few weeks after emergence, the sesame seedlings are very
sensitive to weeds, hence an effective weed control measure is vital
during this period. Different types of perennial grasses, like Khabbal,
Baroo and annual broad leaved weeds like Cholai, Hazardani, Bakhra and
Tandlla compete the crop in rainfed as well as irrigated areas. These
weeds can easily be controlled by adopting cultural methods (crop
rotation and tillage practices) and chemical weed methods depending on
weed species, degree of infestation and weather pattern etc. However
reemergence herbicide (Stomp 330 E) @ 1.48 ai kg/ha can be used before
germination and is very effective in controlling wide range of grasses
and broad leaf weeds.
Crop Rotation
As
sesame is a deep root crop and needs high level of fertility.
Therefore, in rotation leguminous crops like Mung and Mash should be
included along with sesame as under:
- Sesame Wheat Mong
- Sesame Wheat Mash
Harvesting and Thrashing
Sesame
crop matures in about 100-=120 days. The crop must be harvested in time
to avoid losses in yield due to shattering. The crop should be
harvested when 75 % capsules are ripened and become (yellow colored).
Make bundles and stalked upright for drying. In this way the capsules
get nutrient and the seeds develops fully. One week after harvesting,
thrashing should be done in clear weather so that seeds could also be
dried prior to storage with at least 10 % moisture content.
Seed Production
If
the farmer follow all the recommendations as mentioned above, seed
yield of 1000-1200 kg/ha that amounts to Rs.50-60 thousand /ha can very
easily be produced. However, the commercial varieties of sesame have
yield potential of about 1500 kg/ha. These new high yielding and
promising varieties are nearly to be released for general cultivation to
the farmers through out the country.
Diseases of Sesame
The followings are the major diseases in sesame:
- Charcoal rot
- Alternaria leaf spot
- Bacterial leaf spot
- Bacterial blight
- Phyllody
- Root wilting
Control Measures:
The diseases management programme should include the following methods:
a. Use healthy seed of resistant varieties
b.
Prior to sowing, treat the seed with one of the systemic fungicides,
(captafol, Therain, Dithane M-45 and Benlate) @ 2-3 gm/kg of seed to
protect from fungal diseases.
c. Use proper cultural practices (rotation and tillage)
d.
spray the crop with captafol, Dithane- M45 @ 1 kg/acre in 100 liter of
water and Tecto and Benlate @ 500 gm/acre after 10-15 days interval for
bacterial disease, spray streptocycline @ 0.3 gm in 100 liters (25
gallon) of water/ha. Treat the seeds before planting with antibiotics
(streptomycin @ 100 ppm).
Major Insects
In general sesame is not damaged by insects. However, the main insects of sesame crops as under:
- Whitefly - Leaf roller
- Til gallfly - Til Hawk moth
Chemical Control
For
the control of larvae of leaf roller, till hawk moth, whitefly and leaf
hopper, spray Dimecron 100 % @ 200 to 250 ml/acre or Methyl Parathion @
350 to 500 m/acre or Somicidin 20 EC @ 250 ml/acre or Karate @ 250-300
ml/acre mixed in 100 to 150 liters of water at 10-15 days interval, two
times in case the attack is sever. In case of cutworms, spray with
Lorsban @ 400 ml ai/acre, Sevin @ 800 gm ai/acre or Sumicidin @ 120 ml
ai/acre.
Source: Pakistan Agriculture Research Council
