Sesame Production Systems

Following its importance in the export market, the production of sesame in Ethiopia is booming in the last decades. Humera is the major sesame producing area in Ethiopia. This area is also known for its production of premium quality sesame¿white sesame'.However,productivity (kg/ha)of the crop remains very low. There is a wide gap between the yield obtained at research station (2200 kg/ha) and under farmers traditional management practices (450 kg/ha). Among others,water-logging and higher seed rate are the most important factors that limits sesame yield. Therefore, this research was conducted to estimate the effect of planting methods and spacing on the yield and yield components of sesame. The result indicated that sesame yield was increased by 150% when planted on ridge,compare to flat planting. Moreover,ridge planting associated with 20 cm between plants and 40 cm between rows has increased yield ha-1 of the crop. This would give an important insight to increase sesame yield in the study area in particular and in similar area of the world in general.