Sesamum radiatum

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position^[1]. Succeeds on nutritionally poor sites, growing in gravelly, sandy and rocky localities^[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant and continue to grow and flower during the dry season^[1]. The plant is a pan-tropical weed^[2]. The first leaves can be harvested 8 - 10 weeks after sowing. Harvesting at 7 - 10-day intervals can continue for a period of about 14 weeks^[1]. In Nigeria a leaf yield of 5 - 6 tonnes per hectare can be expected^[1]. It takes about 4 months from germination until the seeds are ready to harvest^[1]. The plant shows indeterminate growth, so that flowering continues as long as environmental conditions permit^[1]. This is longer than is usual for sesame (Sesamum indicum)^[1]. It takes about 6 weeks from anthesis to fruit maturity. The fruits do not open fully; an angular pocket at the base of the fruit retains some seeds^[1]. For leaf production, the plants are topped to promote the growth of new basal shoots from which larger leaves can be harvested^[1]. Plants in their second year may be pruned to a height of 2 - 5cm to encourage new shoot production^[1]. The plant is primarily self-pollinated; the flowers opening at dawn after pollination has occurred^[1]. However, under extreme conditions some outcrossing may occur^[1].