General information about crop : Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Domestic production has been limited because of the lack of cultivars that can be harvested mechanically. In 1987, the sesame acreage in this country was less than 2,500 acres, about half of which were in Texas. Upon ripening, sesame capsules split, releasing the seed (hence the phrase, "open sesame"). Because of this shattering characteristic, sesame has been grown primarily on small plots that are harvested by hand. Although researchers have made significant progress in sesame breeding, harvest losses due to shattering continue to limit domestic production.

Botanical name or taxonomic nomenclature :

	Scientific classification
Kingdom  Plantae  Phylum  Magnoliophyta  Class  Magnoliopsida  Order  Lamiales  Family  Pedaliaceae  Genus  Sesamum  Species  S. indicum Binomial name Sesamum indicum L.

Oil content or composition : The seeds by expression yield a fixed oil consisting essentially of the glycerides of oleic and linoleic acids with small preparations of stearin, palmitin and myristin. Sesamin, another constituent of the oil, may be obtained in long crystalline needles melting at 118 degrees F., insoluble in water, light petroleum, ether alkaloids and mineral acids, easily soluble in chloroform, benzine, and glacial acetic acid. Liquid fatty acids are present to about 70 per cent., solid fatty acids 12 to 14 per cent.

Cultivation :

Type of soil or area for cultivation : Sesame is adapted to fertile, well-drained soils and is not salt tolerant. Medium textured soils are most favorable. Sesame prefers neutral to slightly alkaline pH, with moderate fertility. Sesame does not like heavy clay soils or irrigation water containing high concentrations of salt.

Weather condition Sesame is of tropical origin, it performs best in areas where temperatures remain high throughout the growing season of 110 to 150 frost-free days. Seed do not germinate well when soil temperatures are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and plant growth is retarded by cool temperatures even after the stand is established. Growth and fruiting are favored with average daily temperatures in the range of 86 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Early literature indicated that capsule set is usually poor during periods of extremely hot weather when maximum temperatures exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant will shed blooms if it is stressed for moisture.

Planting method :Planting is the most critical aspect of growing sesame. A farmer can do nothing to improve yield on poor stands except replant. In dry land production it is highly recommended that 15 to 50 gallons of water per acre be placed in the seed line to help insure uniform emergence in irregular soils. If soil moisture is high, the gallons of water per acre in the seed line has been successfully lowered to 10 gallons of water per acre. A sesame seed is small and has less energy for emergence than a larger seeded crop. The sesame seed is planted from 0.75 to 1.5 inches deep. The seed will need to remain in moist soil for 3 to 5 days. The planting depth and soil compaction should be kept at a minimum. A planting rate of 3 pounds per acre (25-35 seeds per foot) is recommended for sesame planted on 40 inch row spacing. The planting rate should be increased if the seeds are planted deep, soil moisture is limited, soil temperature is cool, or the soil is compacted, cloddy, or trashy. The planting rate should be reduced if seed bed are well prepared and have adequate soil moisture.

Harvesting : Harvest from September 15 to December 15, dependent on planting date, variety, and climate. Sesame is ready for harvest when the stalk dries down where it will be cut. For best yields, sesame must be harvested as soon as the crop is ready. The present shatter resistance varieties of sesame will hold the seed through 6 weeks of rain. The current problem is not with the shattering but rather with the deterioration of the plant which may result in lodging.