Explore essential facts about sesame cultivation, from planting to harvest, with these straightforward questions designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Which type of climate is most suitable for growing sesame seeds successfully on a farm?
Explanation: Sesame seeds thrive best in warm and dry climates, which help prevent diseases and improve yields. Cold and wet conditions can harm sesame due to increased disease risk. Snowy and freezing climates are too harsh for sesame growth, and rainforest humidity raises disease problems.
A farmer planning to plant sesame should choose soil that is primarily:
Explanation: Well-drained sandy loam soil encourages healthy sesame roots and reduces risk of root rot. Heavy clay holds too much water, saline sodic soils affect plant growth, and waterlogged peat leads to poor development.
What is the recommended method for sowing sesame seeds in the field for best results?
Explanation: Sesame seeds are typically sown by broadcasting them thinly over prepared soil to ensure even distribution. Transplanting seedlings and planting large bulbs or whole pods are not common or efficient practices for sesame.
During which stage does sesame usually benefit most from adequate irrigation?
Explanation: Adequate irrigation at the flowering stage supports optimal formation of pods and seeds. Dormant and very early seed storage stages do not typically require watering, and sesame is rarely transplanted as seedlings.
How can a farmer know when sesame is ready to be harvested?
Explanation: Sesame is ready to harvest when most pods turn yellow and start to split, signaling seed maturity. Bright green leaves, milky seeds, and fully immature pods indicate the crop is not mature yet.