The Sesame Plant

Sesame is an oily plant, as the seeds contain 55-60% oil and 24% protein. The cold extracted oil has a very refined taste, being used in the food industry, for confectionery and pastry. The resulting sesame cakes are rich in protein and fat, being used in confectionery or forage.

Planting

Sesame grows slowly in the early stages of vegetation, which is why the soil must be free of weeds. It can be planted in soils that were previously used for legumes, autumn cereals and industrial plants fertilized with manure. Regarding the fertilization of sesame, it’s important to know that about 70% of the nutrients are consumed after the flowering period, which is why fertilization is necessary during vegetation. Basic soil preparation techniques used are weeding, ploughing and harrowing. Sesame is sown later, usually with specialized machinery, at a distance of 35-45 cm between the rows, 2-3 cm deep using 7-8 kilograms of seeds per hectare. If the soil is dry, it is advisable to roll slightly after sowing. Regarding fertilization, sesame requires nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Compost and farm manure is also recommended. Water-logging is the main culprit for root and stem diseases, but high humidity can also damage sesame cultures.

Harvesting

The harvesting takes place when the fruit at the base are ripe, the seeds from the fruit get the color specific to the variety, and the leaves at the base of the stem have fallen. Sesame is usually ready for harvesting between 90 to 130 days after planting. On small surfaces sesame is harvested with the sickle and then bounded into bundles, where it continues to dry without losing its quality. After drying, the bundles collapse to the ground. On larger surfaces it is harvested in two phases. First, it’s cut with a wind-rower and left in the swaths which, after drying, are collected with a combine harvester.

Storage

Poor storage conditions can decrease the quality of sesame seeds. Dirt, sand or stone can easily mix with the small sesame seeds, so it’s important to ensure the quality of the harvested seeds. The harvested seeds are laid in a thin layer and shaken from time to time until they reach 9% humidity. Approximately 1,500 kilograms per hectare can be obtained. The seeds must be threshed without having further contact with the soil, to avoid any possible contamination that affects their quality. Sesame is left to dry in the field and stored only when there is about 6% moisture. Moist seeds lead to low yields, especially for oil production and they can also clog parts of the machinery used for oil pressing. In addition, moist seeds are prune to fungal infestation; therefore, ensuring that the seeds are dry enough before storing them into containers is critical.

Uses

1. Triggers hair growth.
2. Anti-ageing properties.
3. Boost skin health.
4. Boost dental health.
5. Boost digestion.
6. Good source of energy.
7. Stabilizes blood pressure.
8. Boost bone health.
9. Helps fight stress and depression.
10. Good source of unsaturated fat.