Spread 12.5 t/ha of FYM, compost or composted coir pith and plough it in. If soil tests are not available: rainfed – 23:13:13 kg NPK per hectare (or 17:13:13 with 600 g each of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria); irrigated – 35:23:23 kg NPK per hectare (or 21:23:23 with the biofertilizers). Place the fertilizer in furrows 5 cm deep and 30 cm apart and cover with 3 cm of soil before sowing.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sesame – Application of fertilizers, pp. 199–200
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Manganese and zinc deficiency
Manganese deficiency: yellowing between the veins, later light brown dead patches — mix 10 kg MnSO4 per hectare with 45 kg of soil and broadcast on the beds after sowing. Zinc deficiency: middle leaves yellow between the veins with dead tissue along the leaf tips — apply 25 kg zinc sulphate with 45 kg of soil after sowing. Do not work the micronutrient into the soil.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sesame – Nutritional disorders, p. 200
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Irrigation
Irrigate at sowing and give a life irrigation 7 days later, letting excess water drain. Give one irrigation before flowering (25 days), one at flowering and one or two at pod setting. Flowering (35th–45th day) is the critical stage. Keep moisture low during maturity — too much water then gives poor capsule filling — so stop irrigation after 65 days.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sesame – Water management, p. 201
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Pre-emergence herbicide
Apply pendimethalin at 1.0 litre per hectare as pre-emergence, followed by one hand weeding on the 25th day after sowing.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
