Sesame

Bombay 60 Sesame (Til)

Package of Practices (As per ICAR Recommendations)

1. Variety

Bombay 60

Improved research sesame variety

Suitable for multiple seasons and diverse agro-climatic zones

2. Climate Requirement

Warm and dry climate is ideal

Sensitive to frost and prolonged cloudy weather

Optimum temperature range: 25–35°C

Excess rainfall and waterlogging are harmful for crop establishment

3. Soil Requirement

Well-drained sandy loam to loam soils are suitable

Performs well in medium black soils

Soil pH range: 5.5 to 8.0

Avoid heavy clay soils and waterlogged conditions

4. Suitable Season / Time of Sowing

Kharif: May to July

Rabi / Summer: December to February (under irrigation)

5. Land Preparation

One deep ploughing for soil inversion

Followed by 2–3 harrowings for fine tilth

Field should be level, firm, and weed-free

Ensure proper drainage to avoid stagnation

6. Seed Rate

2.5 to 3.0 kg seed per acre

7. Seed Treatment

Treat seed with Thiram or Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg seed

For biological protection:

Trichoderma viride @ 4 g/kg seed

For insect protection:

Imidacloprid @ 5 ml/kg seed

8. Method of Sowing

Line sowing is recommended for better crop management

Sowing depth: 2–3 cm

Thin seedlings 10–15 days after emergence to maintain plant population

9. Spacing

Row to row: 30 cm

Plant to plant: 10–15 cm

10. Nutrient Management

Apply FYM @ 4–5 tons per hectare during land preparation

Apply ICAR-recommended Nitrogen and Phosphorus as basal dose

Split application of nitrogen is beneficial under irrigated conditions

11. Irrigation Management

Mostly grown as a rainfed crop in Kharif

Provide light irrigations at critical stages:

Branching stage

Flowering stage

Capsule formation stage

Avoid excess irrigation and prevent water stagnation

12. Weed Management

First weeding and thinning at 15–20 days after sowing

Second weeding at 30–35 days after sowing

Pendimethalin pre-emergence application is effective for weed control

13. Intercultural Operations

Light hoeing to improve soil aeration

Maintain weed-free conditions during early stages

Earthing up may be done in light soils if needed

14. Plant Protection

Major Diseases

Powdery mildew

Alternaria leaf spot

Control Measures

Wettable sulphur @ 2 g/litre for powdery mildew

Mancozeb @ 2.5 g/litre for leaf spot diseases

Major Pests

Leaf roller

Capsule borer

Gall fly

Control Measures

Neem-based insecticides for preventive pest management

Apply ICAR-recommended insecticides when infestation becomes severe

15. Morphological Characters

Medium to dark green foliage

Milky white to creamy seed colour

Plants attain 4–5 feet height with uniform branching

Capsules arranged alternately along the stem

16. Special Characteristics

Research-based improved sesame variety

Suitable for varied seasons and regions

Good seed quality attributes

Tolerant to common stresses under field conditions