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Following sesame, farmers have reported yield increases in cotton, peanuts, sorghum, wheat, soybeans, and corn.Click on area of interest:
Effects on cotton root rot
Soil improvements after sesame
Cotton after sesame
Peanuts after sesame
Wheat after sesame
Alfalfa after sesame
Sesame as a second crop after wheat
Sesame as a catch crop for failed out cotton
Sesame as a catch crop for failed out corn or sorghum
Sesame as a rotation after other crops
Effects on cotton root rot
Farmers in Arizona and Texas have reported that cotton following sesame has significantly less cotton root rot (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora) the following year.
Soil improvements after sesame
Researchers at Texas A&M and Auburn University have found that sesame reduces nematode populations, particularly the root knot nematode that attacks peanuts and cotton.
Sesame is an excellent soil builder. Roots have as much mass as the visible plant. Stalks disc into soil easily and break down quickly. Soil is very mellow and requires less work for next crop. Tilth and moisture retention is improved.
Farmers walking across split planted fields can feel how much more mellow the ground is after sesame.
Farmers ripping diagonally across fields with cotton, sesame, and sorghum, have been able to operate one gear higher on the sesame ground.
Farmers listing across pivots have to raise the lister when on sesame ground.
In high erosion areas, ground after sesame does not blow as much. It appears that the mucilage in the sesame leaves binds the ground. However, sesame does not have enough residue to qualify as a high residue crop.
Farmers report that after sesame, the soil retains moisture better for planting the next crop.
In dry years after sesame, in split planted fields, corn and cotton do not show as much stress after sesame. The soil retains moisture better.
Cotton after sesame
Many farmers have incorporated sesame into their cotton rotation because it
- Increases yield.
- Suppresses populations of root knot nematodes.
- Is not susceptible to cotton root rot.
- Extends limited water so that farmer can concentrate on water for cotton.
One cotton farmer who has grown sesame since 1991 has said, "When I start counting bolls, I can find to the row where the sesame was the previous year. When I defoliate, everyone can see to the row where the sesame was the previous year."
With early warm weather or delayed planting date, sesame can volunteer in cotton.
- The cotton grade has never been affected and volunteers have rarely bothered pickers or strippers.
- Farmers easily control sesame in Roundup Ready® cotton. Sesame is extremely susceptible to glyphosate.
- In most years the sesame will not come through Caparol®.
Peanuts after sesame
Many farmers have incorporated sesame into their peanut rotation because it
- Increases yield.
- Suppresses populations of root knot nematodes.
- Extends limited water so that farmer can concentrate on water for peanuts.
One farmer who has grown sesame since 1997 has said, "The peanuts after the sesame close in faster, and during harvest, it takes less rounds to fill up the bin after sesame."
Sesame can volunteer in peanuts.
- Cadre® and 2-4D provide effective control.
- Some farmers prefer a wick with glyphosate.
Wheat after sesame
Many farmers have incorporated sesame into their wheat rotation because it
- Increases yield.
- Provides a second cash crop.
Sesame ahead of wheat will use resources - moisture and fertility. In dryland conditions in a dry year, there may not be enough moisture for both crops.
No additional total fertilizer is necessary for wheat, but wheat will need more up-front nitrogen, since the breaking down of the sesame stalks will tie up a bit of the nitrogen early.
In Northern Oklahoma, sesame will push wheat planting into November or December and will not work for grazing wheat. In South Texas, planting rye for grazing after sesame has increased the number of days the cattle can stay on the field and has increased daily weight gain.
Alfalfa after sesame
In Arizona, sesame is harvested before alfalfa is normally planted, allowing for a summer crop to cover the ground during the heat.
No additional total fertilizer is necessary for alfalfa, but alfalfa will need more up-front, since the breaking down of the sesame stalks will tie up a bit of the nitrogen early.
Sesame as a second crop after wheat
In irrigated or high rainfall areas, sesame will provide a good second income just prior to Christmas.
In the dryland Rolling Plains, many farmers plant sesame as a catch crop after wheat.
- In some years with a few summer rains at the right time, sesame has yielded over 800 lbs/acre in the San Angelo area.
- In most years sesame will more than cover its costs and provide soil and yield benefits to the cotton the next year.
- In some years there will not be enough moisture, and the sesame can be disced in as a green manure to provide soil and yield benefits to the cotton the next year.
Tips for growing sesame after wheat:
- Go with no-till to preserve moisture.
- Hit field with glyphosate prior to planting to destroy weeds coming up in wheat stubble.
- Wheat stubble needs to be less than 4 inches if planting with drill, to avoid shading. If planting with cotton planter, wheels next to disc openers will push down wheat enough.
- Some farmers prefer to burn wheat stubble, but wheat keeps the ground from blowing in areas with high winds.
- If planting sesame with a drill on wheat beds, try for 3 rows on bed because drill will drift and will end up with 2 good rows.
There have been mixed results with wheat herbicides such as Amber®, Glean®, Ally®, Finesse®, and Assert®. Some farmers have planted after using these herbicides with results ranging from little effect to complete eradication of sesame.
Be careful with newer, longer residual herbicides in your previous crops - if cotton is not OK on the label, don't try it for sesame.
Sesame as a catch crop for failed out cotton
In every case of sesame planted side-by-side with sorghum, the sesame has netted more dollars, and the sesame has been better for the cotton ground next year.
Sesame works after most cotton herbicides.
- Sesame normally tolerates half the rate of the 'yellows' (Prowl® or Treflan®). By the time the cotton is failed out, the effectiveness of the 'yellows' has been diminished, and the temperatures are higher, increasing the vigor of the sesame germination.
- The layer of Caparol® needs to be pushed away from the seed line and not be pulled back over the seed line.
- Several thousand acres of sesame have been planted behind Stapple®/Direx®.
Sesame as a catch crop for failed out corn or sorghum
Usually does not work.
- Sesame is susceptible to most corn and sorghum herbicides.
- In most areas, the last day to plant sorghum is after the latest planting date for sesame.
Sesame as a rotation after other crops
Sesame is regularly planted after cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, oats, and rye without any problems.
Be careful with newer longer residual herbicides in your previous crops - if cotton is not OK on the label, don't try it for sesame.
In some years sesame can follow Cadre® in peanuts, but in dry years, there have been carry-over effects on sesame.
Using Roundup® with hooded sprayers has worked in lieu of cultivation. To date, no one has dared spray the sesame stems except with Caparol®.
There have been mixed results with broad leaf herbicides such as Amber®, Glean®, Ally®, Finesse®, and Assert®. Some farmers have planted after using these herbicides with results ranging from little effect to complete eradication of sesame.