Sesame, a vital oilseed crop in India, holds significant promise for farmers in Kerala and Karnataka. Known for its adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions, nutritional value, and economic return, sesame cultivation is steadily expanding in both states. The development of region-specific varieties and improved farming practices has enhanced its resilience, yield, and oil quality, making it a valuable crop for both commercial and subsistence farmers.
Let's explore the best sesame varieties suited for cultivation in Kerala and Karnataka, along with recommended agronomic practices to optimize productivity and ensure sustainability.
Sesame Varieties for Kerala
Thilathara
Thilathara is a high-yielding variety developed from a CST 785 × B14 cross. With an oil content of 51.5% and a maturity period of 78 days, it is particularly suited for summer rice fallows. This variety offers high oil yield, making it ideal for commercial oil extraction.
Thilarani
Thilarani matures in 80 to 85 days and produces uniform capsules with high seed density. It is especially resilient under Kerala’s seasonal variations, with a notable oil content of 50.5%. Its strong adaptability makes it suitable for summer rice fallows.
Thilak
Thilak, a pure line selection, is well-suited for upland areas in Kerala. Maturing in 85 to 90 days, it offers stable yields and shows strong seed retention, which helps reduce post-harvest losses. With an oil content of 50%, it is adapted to Kerala’s humid climate.
Kayamkulam-1
Kayamkulam-1 is recommended for the lowlands of Onattukara and is an excellent choice for cultivation in rice fallows during Kerala’s third crop season (December to April). It matures in 80 to 99 days, has an oil content of 48–50%, and shows resistance to leaf spot disease, enhancing crop survival.
Sesame Varieties for Karnataka
DS-1
DS-1 is a white-seeded variety well-suited for rainfed conditions. It has an oil content of 48–50% and matures in 95 to 100 days. Known for its resistance to bacterial leaf blight, DS-1 performs reliably under limited moisture conditions.
DS-5
DS-5 is a tall, bold-seeded variety adaptable to both irrigated and rainfed areas. With an oil content of 50–52% and maturity within 90 to 95 days, it features 4–5 branches per plant and strong disease resistance, contributing to better seed production and reduced losses.
DSS-9
DSS-9, an early-maturing variety (85–90 days), performs well under rainfed and semi-irrigated conditions. With an oil content of 49–50%, it shows remarkable adaptability to moisture stress and is a preferred choice for regions with shorter growing seasons.
Best Agricultural Practices for Sesame Farming
To maximize sesame yield and oil quality, region-specific agronomic strategies should be followed.
Land Preparation
Deep plowing during summer enhances soil aeration. The field should be well-leveled to prevent waterlogging—especially important in rainfed areas. Incorporating 5–10 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per hectare significantly improves soil fertility.
Sowing Period and Techniques
In Kerala, sesame is ideally planted between December and April in lowland areas and August to December in uplands. In Karnataka, June to July marks the Kharif sowing season.
For line sowing, 2.5–3 kg of seed per hectare is adequate, while 5 kg per hectare is needed for broadcasting. Recommended spacing is either 30 x 15 cm or 45 x 10 cm, depending on the variety. Seed treatment is essential to prevent fungal infections—use a mix of Thiram (2 g/kg) and Carbendazim (1 g/kg), or alternatively, Trichoderma viride (5 g/kg) for biological control.
Fertilization
Balanced fertilization improves plant vigor and oil quality. A recommended dose includes 40 kg of nitrogen, 20 kg of phosphorus, and 20 kg of potassium per hectare for irrigated crops. Sulfur, at 15–20 kg per hectare, is also critical for oil synthesis. Apply half the nitrogen and all phosphorus and potassium at sowing, with the remaining nitrogen top-dressed during flower initiation (30–35 days after sowing).
Weed Management
Weeds are a major challenge during the first 40 days of growth. Manual weeding should be done twice: first at 15–20 days after sowing and again at 30–35 days. For chemical weed control, Pendimethalin (1 kg active ingredient/ha) can be used as a pre-emergence herbicide.
Irrigation
Though sesame is primarily grown in rainfed conditions, critical irrigation during flowering and capsule formation stages can significantly enhance yields. Care should be taken to avoid over-irrigation, as sesame is highly sensitive to waterlogging and moisture stress.
Pest and Disease Management
Sesame is vulnerable to pests like leaf roller, capsule borer, gall fly, and jassids, as well as diseases such as Phytophthora blight, Macrophomina root rot, bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and phyllody. The use of resistant varieties, appropriate fungicides and insecticides, and crop rotation are effective preventive measures.
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Care
Harvesting should begin when the bottom capsules turn lemon yellow and the leaves start to droop naturally. Timely harvesting is essential to prevent seed shattering. After harvesting, plants must be thoroughly dried to improve seed quality and storage life.
Comparative Overview of Sesame Varieties for Kerala and Karnataka
|
State |
Variety |
Oil Content (%) |
Maturity Days |
Key Features |
|
Kerala |
Thilathara |
51.5 |
78 |
High oil yield, suited for summer rice fallows |
|
Kerala |
Thilarani |
50.5 |
80-85 |
Strong seed retention, adapted to seasonal variations |
|
Kerala |
Thilak |
50 |
85-90 |
Pure line selection, suited for upland cultivation |
|
Kerala |
Kayamkulam-1 |
48-50 |
80-99 |
Resistant to leaf spot disease, ideal for rice fallows |
|
Karnataka |
DS-1 |
48-50 |
95-100 |
White seeds, resistant to bacterial leaf blight |
|
Karnataka |
DS-5 |
50-52 |
90-95 |
Tall plant, high seed production |
|
Karnataka |
DSS-9 |
49-50 |
85-90 |
Early maturing, drought-resistant |
Sesame cultivation in Kerala and Karnataka holds great promise, particularly with region-specific varieties like Thilathara, Thilarani, Thilak, Kayamkulam-1, DS-1, DS-5, and DSS-9. These varieties have been bred for local climate resilience, oil yield, and disease resistance.
By adopting scientific farming practices—including proper land preparation, timely sowing, balanced nutrition, effective pest and weed management, and efficient irrigation—farmers can significantly boost sesame productivity. As demand for high-quality sesame continues to rise in both domestic and export markets, these improved strategies offer a pathway to sustainable and profitable sesame farming in southern India.
