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                        Sesame grows in well drained, sandy loam soils. Coarse sandy soils and soils of
                        alkaline and saline nature are not suited for the crop. 
                        Season 
                        Lowland paddy field: Dec- April (third crop)Uplands: Aug- Dec
 
                        Varieties 
                        For upland cultivation use varieties with long duration of 100-110 days and for
                        low land, use varieties with duration of 80-99 days. 
                        
                            | Kayamkulam-1 | Suitable for lowlands of Onattukara |  
                            | Kayamkulam-2(Thilothama) | Suitable for rice fallows in Onattukara, resistant to leaf spot disease. |  
                            | ACV-1 (Soma) | Pure line selection for summer fallows of Onattukara |  
                            | ACV-2 (Surya) | Pure line selection suited for uplands |  
                            | ACV-3 (Thilak) | Pure line selection suited to summer fallows of Onattukara |  
                            | Thilathara (CST 785 x B14) | Suitable for the summer rice fallows of Onattukara, oil 51.5%, duration 78 days. |  
                            | OMT-1165 | Suited to uplands of Onattukara (rabi season), oil 50.5% |  
                            | Thilarani | Suited to summer rice fallows of Onattukara |  
                        Preparation of land and sowing 
                        Prepare the soil into a fine tilth by ploughing 2-4 times and breaking the clods.
                        Seed rate is 4-5 kg/ha. Broadcast seeds evenly, preferably mixed with sand 2-3 times
                        its volume, to ensure uniform coverage. Work with harrow, followed by pressing with
                        wooden plank so as to cover the seed in the soil. 
                        Manuring 
                        Apply manures and ferilizers at the following ratesCattle manure/ compost: 5t/ha
 N: P2O5: K2O – 30:15:30 kg/ha
 
                        Apply FYM/ compost as basal dressing and incorporate into the soil along with last
                        ploughing. Apply fertilizers as basal dose when there is enough moisture in the
                        soil. Urea is preferable to ammonium sulphate. Nitrogen may be applied in split
                        doses, 75% as basal and the balance as foliar spray at 3% concentration, 20-35 DAS
                        keeping the discharge rate at 500 l/ha. 
                        Interculture 
                        After cultivation of the crop may be done twice, first at 15 days and the next 25-
                        35 DAS. When the plants are about 15cm in height, thin the crop so as to give a
                        spacing of 15-25 cm between plants. 
                        Irrigation 
                        Usually the crop is grown under rainfed conditions. When facilities are available,
                        the crop may be irrigated to field capacity after thinning operation and thereafter
                        at 15-20 days interval. Stop irrigation just before the pods begin to mature. 
                        Surface irrigation at 3cm depth during the critical stages, viz: 4-5 eaves, branching,
                        flowering and pod formation will increase the yield by 35-52%. Two irrigation of
                        3cm depth each in the vegetative phase (branching) and in reproductive phase (at
                        flowering or pod formation) are the best, registering maximum yield and water use
                        efficiency. In the case of single irrigation, it can be best given in the reproductive
                        phase. In the tail end fields in command area, the best use of sparingly available
                        water can be made for augmenting sesame production. 
                        Plant protection For control of leaf curl
                                disease, remove and destroy disease affected sesame plants as well as the diseased
                                collateral hosts like chilli, tomato and zinnia.
                                    Remove plants affected with phyllody and destroy them. Do not use seeds from affected
                                    plants for sowing.Azadirachtin 0.03% at 5 ml per
                                        litre spray at 7th and 20th DAS and thereafter need based
                                        application can manage the incidence of leaf and pod caterpillar, pod borer infestation
                                        and phyllody incidence.
 
                        Harvesting 
                        Harvest the crop, when the capsule turns yellowish by pulling out the plants. Harvest
                        during the morning hours. Cut the root portion and stack the plants in bundles for
                        3-4 days when the leaves will fall off. Spread in the sun and beat with sticks to
                        break open the capsules. Repeat this for 3 days. Preserve seeds collected during
                        the first day fo seed purposes. Clean and dry in sun for about 7 days before storing. 
                        Storage of seeds 
                        By keeping sesame seeds in polybags, tin bins, wooden receptacles or in earthen
                        pots, the viability can be maintained for about one year. Admixture of seeds with
                        ash will drastically reduce germination. 
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