Collection: GINGELLY (SESAMUM)

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Sesame, also known as gingelly or til, is one of the oldest oilseed crops grown by humans. Sesame seeds are believed to be in use for over 3500 years. Gingelly oil is one of the major oils used in Indian cuisine. Sesame is mainly grown for Sesame seeds, which are vital for food and oil production. Sesame is scientifically known as Sesamum indicum and belongs to the Pedaliaceae family.

Many countries use sesame seeds in food preparations. Til seeds can be used in baking, as toppings, or to make tahini and Sesame oil, a popular cooking oil. Gingelly seeds contain a number of natural antioxidants, including Sesamol, Sesamolin and Sesamin. These antioxidants enhance the taste of gingelly oil, its health benefits, and its shelf life.

Sesame seeds are high in protein, fibre, and nutrients. Gingelly seeds also have healthy fats. Til seed consumption also benefits the heart, skin, and overall health. Gingelly oil is known for its stability and high smoking point. This makes gingelly oil great for cooking and frying.  

Sesame production has expanded around the world in the last few decades. Major producers of sesame seeds are India, China, Myanmar, and Sudan. India is one of the leading exporters of gingelly seeds.

Climate for Sesame Crop Cultivation

Sesame plant thrives in warm climates. Gingelly plants can be grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Gingelly plants are well-known for withstanding drought and thriving in semi-arid, low-rainfall areas. Til Plant thrives in regions with moderate precipitation and high temperatures.

Gingelly plants can not withstand excess water, especially during flowering and seed setting. Too much rain or waterlogging can damage the Til crops. High humidity during flowering can lower yields and Sesame seed quality.

The optimum temperature for growing gingelly plants is between 25°C to 35°C. Temperatures above 40°C cause a reduction in Sesame seed oil content. Temperatures below 15°C cause a decrease in Til crop yield.

Soil for Sowing Sesame Seeds

Sesame plants can grow in various types of soil. The optimum soil for gingelly plant growth is well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Til plant grows best in sandy loam soils with adequate moisture, high salinity, and poor drainage may hinder gingelly plant growth and yield. The Optimum pH range of the soil is between 5.5 to 8.0.

Land Preparation for Sowing Sesame Seeds

Before sowing Sesame seeds, the field must be ploughed 1 to 2 times, followed by Harrowing. This will break the soil clods and smooth the soil surface. The field should be levelled to prevent water logging in the gingelly crop. Add 10-12 tons of FYM per hectare to the soil during the last ploughing.

Sesame Seeds and Propagation Materials

Selection of a Sesame Variety: Select a Sesame variety based on the region's climate, soils, and market preferences.

Procurement of Quality Sesame seeds: Purchasing quality sesame seeds is important. At DesiKheti, you can find a wide range of quality sesame seeds that are suitable for your farming needs.

Sesame Seed Rate: In sesame farming, the seed rate varies depending on the time of year, method of planting, etc. Farmers typically use a seed rate of 1 kg of sesame seeds per acre of land.

Sesame Seed Treatment: The sesame seeds sold by private companies are usually treated with necessary chemicals before sale. However, if the seeds are not treated with chemicals, fungicides such as Carbendazim and Thiram should be used. Apply 2 g of Thiram per kilogram of sesame seeds, 1 g of Carbendazim per kilogram of sesame seeds, or 5 g of Trichoderma viride per kilogram of sesame seeds.

Time of Sowing Sesame Seeds

Sesame seed sowing time varies with region and climate. In India, farmers grow Til crops in both the Kharif and Rabi seasons. For the Kharif crop, the sowing of gingelly seeds typically happens between June and July, while the sowing of sesame seeds in Rabi is done from February to March.

In northern India, Sesame is mostly a Kharif crop, though some areas also grow it in summer. In central India, gingelly cultivation occurs across three seasons, i.e., Kharif, Rabi, and summer. The Kharif and semi-Rabi crops depend on rainfall, while the summer crop requires reliable irrigation.

Method of Sowing Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds can be planted by either broadcasting or line sowing. Broadcasting is the more common method. Sesame seeds are mixed with sand for even distribution across the field. In line sowing, gingelly seeds are sown in rows using a seed drill, which helps increase gingelly crop yield. In line sowing, sesame seeds are sown about 3 cm deep and covered with soil.

Line sowing makes it easier to manage weeds and provides good air circulation around the Til plants. In summer, a row spacing of 25-35 cm is followed. In the Kharif season, spacing of 35-45 cm between rows and about 12-15 cm between gingelly plants is followed. However the spacing varies based on region and other cultivation factors.

Nutrient Management in Sesame Farming

Sesame generally needs fewer nutrients compared to other oilseeds. However, applying nutrients results in better gingelly crop yields. The right amount of fertilizer depends on the region, so it is best to follow soil test results for accurate recommendations.

Here is an example.

Fertilizers generally applied in Andhra Pradesh are:

• For rainfed crops: Apply 40:60:40 kg NPK per hectare as a basal dose.
• For irrigated crops: Apply 60:60:40 kg NPK per hectare, with half of the nitrogen and all of the phosphorus and potassium applied as a basal dose. The remaining nitrogen should be applied 30–35 days after sowing sesame seeds.

If the soil is low in sulphur, adding 50 kg per hectare can help improve yields.

Irrigation Management in Sesame Farming

Sesame is a drought-tolerant crop. While gingelly crops can survive dry spells, they need water at critical growth stages, particularly during flowering and pod setting. Lack of water during these stages can greatly reduce Til crop yields. In the Kharif season, irrigation is usually not necessary. However, irrigation can be given during extended dry periods, especially during flowering and pod-setting stages of gingelly plants.

For Rabi and summer crops, it is better to irrigate right after sowing sesame seeds to boost germination and plant establishment. After that, irrigation can be given every 12–15 days, depending on soil type, weather, and season.

Weed Management in Sesame Cultivation

Weeds are a common issue in sesame farming, especially early on, as the crop grows slowly initially. Gingelly plants are most sensitive to weed competition during the first 15–25 days after sowing Til seeds. Two rounds of weeding are generally needed in gingelly crops. One weeding at 15 days and another at 35 days after sowing Til seeds.

Pest and Disease Management in Sesame Farming

Common Pests of Sesame 

Gingelly Leaf and Pod Borer (Antigastra catalaunalis)

• The larvae begin attacking around 15 days after sowing gingelly seeds.
• In the first stage, the larva acts as leaf miners, feeding within Til plant leaves.
• Later, they web gingelly plant top leaves or shoot tips, causing drying of the webbed portions.
• As flowers form, they bore into them and feed on reproductive parts. Once capsules form, the larva bore into capsules as well.
• Severe infestations can significantly reduce gingelly crop yield.

Gall Fly (Asphondylia sesami)

• Affected Sesame buds and flowers show gall-like swellings, then fade and dry out. Gall-like swellings on flowers and young capsules are clear signs of infestation.
• Pods become malformed due to incomplete gingelly seed development.

Gingelly Hawk Moth (Acherontia styx)

• Larvae feed heavily on the Til leaves, causing defoliation.
• They are voracious feeders and can completely strip the plant of its leaves.

Common Diseases of Sesame 

Leaf Blight (Alternaria sesami)

• Initially, small, reddish-brown spots appear on Til leaves. Over time, these spots grow larger, covering more of the leaf surface and forming concentric rings.
• The underside of the spots turns to a greyish-brown colour.
• In severe cases, the gingelly leaves can be heavily damaged, causing them to drop off.
• Dark brown lesions may also appear on the petioles, main stems, and capsules of sesame plants.
• When capsules are infected, they may split open prematurely, often resulting in shrivelled gingelly seeds.

Phyllody (Phytoplasma)

• The disease usually starts appearing during the flowering stage of Til plants, with leaves showing vein clearing as an early sign.
• Floral parts begin to turn into green, leafy structures that grow densely, forming clusters of leaves and misshapen flowers at the gingelly plant tips.
• Sesame flowers lose their ability to reproduce, with veins in the transformed structures becoming thick and prominent.
• Infected gingelly plants are stunted, with shorter spaces between nodes and unusual branching, giving them a bushy, compact appearance.
• Typically, infected Til plants don't produce capsules, and any capsules that do form tend to yield poor-quality gingelly seeds.

Charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)

• The disease starts with yellowing of the lower leaves of the sesame plant, leading to drooping and leaf drop.
• Dark brown lesions develop on the gingelly plant stem near ground level, and the bark around the collar area begins to shred.
• When the infection spreads to the Til plant pods, they open too early, with sesame seeds shrivelled and black.
• Infected gingelly plants often die suddenly, creating patches of dead plants in the field.

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum)

• The disease starts with a greyish-white powdery growth on the upper surface of Til leaves. As the infection progresses, the powdery coating can cover the entire leaf surface of gingelly plants.
• Sesame leaves that are heavily affected may twist and become deformed.
• In severe cases, the disease spreads to gingelly flowers and young capsules, leading to premature shedding.

Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. sesami)

• The disease starts with the drooping and wilting of Til leaves, which eventually leads to the withering of gingelly plant stems and the drying out of the sesame plant completely.
• Dark brown or black streaks are visible in the vascular tissues of the stems and roots of the gingelly plant.
• Infected Til plants may experience sudden death.

Harvesting of Sesame Crop

Sesame crops typically reach maturity within 80 to 150 days, depending on the variety. Harvesting time can be identified when the Til plant leaves, stems, and capsules begin to turn yellow and the lower leaves start to shed. Be careful not to let the gingelly plants over-ripen in the field, as this can lead to sesame seed loss.

To harvest, cut the mature gingelly plants at ground level and follow the threshing process to separate the sesame capsules and sesame seeds.

Sesame Seed Yield

The average sesame yield for an irrigated crop is around 1200 to 1500 kg per hectare, while the yield for rainfed sesame crops is about 800 to 1000 kg per hectare on a well-managed farm.