Sowing and seed rate

Being a rainfed crop, sesamum is sown with the onset of monsoon in the end of June or beginning of July. However, July sowing is always better as the late sown crop escapes the attack on phyllody disease. Wherever possible, the crop should be sown in lines 30 cm apart with pora or drill. A plant distance of 15-20 cm is the best for branching varieties like Punjab Til No. 1and Brajeshwari. Even when sown by broadcast, the crop should be thinned well to get good yields. A seed rate of 5 kg/ha is recommended.