Cultivation Sesame

sesame output in 2005



simit, koulouri or gevrek, ring-shaped bread coated sesame seeds

sesame varieties have adapted many soil types. high-yielding crops thrive best on well-drained, fertile soils of medium texture , neutral ph. however, these have low tolerance soils high salt , water-logged conditions. commercial sesame crops require 90 120 frost free days. warm conditions above 23 °c (73 °f) favor growth , yields. while sesame crops can grow in poor soils, best yields come fertilized farms.

initiation of flowering sensitive photoperiod , sesame variety. photoperiod affects oil content in sesame seed; increased photoperiod increases oil content. oil content of seed inversely proportional protein content.

sesame drought-tolerant, in part due extensive root system. however, requires adequate moisture germination , growth. while crop survives drought, presence of excess water, yields lower in either conditions. moisture levels before planting , flowering impact yield most.

most commercial cultivars of sesame intolerant of water-logging. rainfall late in season prolongs growth , increases loss dehiscence, when seedpod shatters, scattering seed. wind can cause shattering @ harvest.

processing

sesame seeds protected capsule bursts when seeds ripe. called dehiscence. dehiscence time tends vary, farmers cut plants hand , place them in upright position continue ripening until capsules have opened. discovery of indehiscent mutant (analogous nonshattering domestic grains) langham in 1943 began work towards development of high-yielding, dehiscence-resistant variety. although researchers have made significant progress in sesame breeding, harvest losses due dehiscence continue limit domestic production.

since sesame small, flat seed, difficult dry after harvest because small seed makes movement of air around seed difficult. therefore, seeds need harvested dry possible , stored @ 6% moisture or less. if seed moist, can heat , become rancid.

after harvesting, seeds cleaned , hulled. in countries, once seeds have been hulled, passed through electronic colour-sorting machine rejects discolored seeds ensure perfect colour. done because sesame seeds consistent appearance perceived of better quality consumers, , sell higher price.

immature or off-sized seeds removed , used sesame oil production.