Abstract

Sesame has potential as an alternative crop for former tobacco farmers in eastern USA to increase agricultural diversification and enhance farm incomes. Oil yield and quality of five shatter-resistant and dwarf sesame cultivars when grown using rows 37.5 cm or 75 cm apart were evaluated. Sesame was planted on 23 May and 8 Jun. (PT1) during 2011 and on 17 and 9 Jul. (PT2) during 2012. Early planting (Late May to early June) resulted in 716.6 kg oil/ha as compared to 479.6 kg oil/ha from late planting (early June to mid-July). The closer row spacing of 37.5 cm out-yielded the wider row spacing of 75 cm by about 34% for oil yield. Early planting increased the contents of C16:0, C20:0, C18:1, and C20:1 fatty acids whereas late planting increased the contents of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids. Contents of total saturated fatty acids and mono-unsaturated fatty acids were also greater after early planting as compared to those after late plantings. Closer row spacing of 37.5 cm resulted in significantly higher contents of C20:1 and saturated fatty acids in the oil as compared to the wider row spacing of 75 cm. Sesame seed produced in Virginia contained 6.8% more oil than that produced in Texas (45. 5 vs. 42.6%, respectively). The results indicated that sesame could be produced in the mid-Atlantic region of USA.

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