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- Sesame is one of the most versatile crops that can be grown in arid regions. It has unique attributes that can fit almost any cropping system.
- Offers more return for less cost (less risk) than other crops.
- Can be more profitable with limited resources than other crops using the same level of resources.
- Has shown excellent tolerance to hot, dry conditions where other crops have failed.
- Is a well suited crop to include in a rotation because equipment used for other crops can be used to grow sesame.
- Current commercial varieties have shown excellent drought, disease, and insect tolerance.
- Has a deep tap root system that utilizes leached nitrogen below the root zones of previous crops.
- Is excellent for no-till. Grows well in no-till and results in mellow soil with residue that allows uniform planting.
- Has shown relatively negligible economic damage from cattle, sheep, horses, wild hogs, deer, and birds.
- Has shown increased yields on crops following sesame because of increased moisture retention and better soil tilth.
- Research has shown reduced populations of root-knot nematodes following sesame.
- Has shown suppression of cotton root rot following sesame.
- Allows soils to collect rainfall during the drying phase (last 30-40 days) and store the moisture for double cropping directly after sesame harvest.
- Holds soil from erosion equal to higher residue crops and will break down easily and not ball-up equipment.
- Residue breaks down easily and does not affect tillage or planting equipment that follow.
- Is a program crop that can be planted on cotton (or other program crop) acres and still receive direct payments.
- Can stretch water in areas with limited water by dividing acres with higher moisture demanding crops like cotton, corn, or peanuts.
- Has worked well as a catch crop option following hailed out cotton.
- Has not shown iron or zinc
deficiencies on high pH soils like sorghum.