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AgriLife Tips

published: October 3rd 2008
source: Texas A&M University

SESAME -
A NEW CROP IN COASTAL BEND
    When the spring drought of this year resulted in more than 30,000 acres of cotton being failed, other cropping options were considered by local farmers.  Some decided to try sesame, a crop traditionally grown in Southwest Texas and the Rolling and High Plains of Texas.  One unique quality about sesame is that is very drought-tolerant, as it only needs 25% of the water needed for corn, 33% of water needed for grain sorghum and 50% of the water needed for cotton.  So in a year with below normal rainfall, this surely sounded like a crop that had potential.
    Sesame is one of the oldest crops known to humans and there are archeological remnants dating to 5,500 years ago in the Indian subcontinent.  Today, Asia produces 65% of the sesame with the three largest producers being India, China, and Myanmar.  Sesame has about 50% oil and 25% protein. The oil is one of the most stable vegetable oils because of the high level of antioxidants (sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol). The flour that remains after oil extraction is almost 50% protein, has good effective carbohydrates, and contains water-soluble antioxidants (sesaminol glucosides) that provide added shelf-life to many products.
    Locally there were more than 4,000 acres planted in the Coastal Bend of Texas this year of which about 1,000 acres were in Nueces County.  Harvest of this crop locally began the week of September 8 and will continue through the early part of October.  Yields have been better than what experts had predicted when this crop was considered a few months ago, ranging from 600 to more than 1,200 pounds per acre.  It seems that the main factor that has influenced the yield has been a plant stand, as this tiny seed can be difficult to bring to emergence.  The sesame grown locally has been contracted with SESCO (Sesame Coordinators) for a price around 32 cents per pound with some premiums of 2-3 cents paid in some cases, which has resulted in a gross income of $200 to $400 per acre.   The expenses of growing sesame are less than other crops. Moreover, sesame can be used as a rotation crop with cotton, corn, wheat, and peanuts around the state.
    Sesame is ready for harvest when the stalk dries down where it will be cut and seed moisture is 6% or less. For best yields, sesame must be harvested as soon as the crop is ready. The present shatter resistance varieties of sesame will hold the seed through six weeks of rain. The current problem is not with the shattering but rather with the deterioration of the plant which may result in lodging.
    So where does the local sesame go after harvest?  According to SESCO, the seed is processed in Paris, Texas, at Sesame Solutions LLC. Some seed is hulled and ends up on top of hamburger buns. A portion of the crop is incorporated into sesame products used in the production of crackers, bread sticks, and cookies.  Seed are also exported to  Japan, which happens to be the second largest importer of sesame in the world.  Importing countries use sesame in the making of tahini and halvah; and some is made into flour and oil.
    Sesame oil is used as a salad or cooking oil and in shortening, margarine and soap. It is often considered the "queen" of vegetable oils. The outstanding characteristic of sesame oil is its stability and keeping quality as well as resistance to rancidity. Also, sesame oil is used in paints, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes and insecticides. Annually, more than 8,000 tons of sesame oil is imported into the United States. A whole seed condiment is the primary use of the sesame grown by producers in the United States. The largest use is on top of buns and in snack foods.
    The future of sesame production looks bright and this alternative crop seems to have a real fit here in parts of the Coastal Bend.  One thing we have learned is that sesame does not grow in very wet soils, in fact poorly drained soils with standing water will result in sesame plant death. However, standing water in local fields is not usually a problem here.  The world market is growing and China is moving from a major exporter to a significant importer, so I am optimistic that this crop has potential here in the western areas of the Coastal Bend.  For more  information on sesame check out this web site;  http://www.sesamegrowers.org/index.htm
SLS