Sesame Plant Diseases – How To Treat Problems With Sesame Plants
Sesame plant diseases are not common but can cause widespread crop loss when they occur. Most of the diseases of sesame are fungal or bacterial and are easy to avoid with good cropping practices. More serious problems with sesame stem from pest and weed competition, but this versatile, arid region crop is slow growing and requires early management to prevent plant loss. Continue reading for an overview on sesame diseases and how to avoid or manage them.
Fungal Sesame Disease Issues
Aladdin may have said "open sesame" but growers all pray for that occurrence. Open pods signify harvest time and the gathering of the tiny, economically important seeds. While sesame plants have few disease issues, some fungal and other problems do crop up. The most serious diseases affect many types of plants but resistant varieties are available to all diseases that have occurred since 1978. A few are still a problem but can be managed. Sick sesame plants may be the result of cultural, pest, or disease issues. If you are certain all cultural requirements are being met and adequate pest management is in place, the next step is to consider the common diseases of sesame. Sesame plants thrive in dry, warm environments. Boggy soil, excess rainfall, cool temperatures, and high humidity encourage the formation of fungal spores and their dissemination. Seedlings are especially prey to fungal diseases. Damping off will kill young plants. Root rots are also a potential problem, although most sesame varieties have been bred to resist these diseases. Crop rotation is the most important management strategy.
Bacterial Sesame Disease Problems
One of the hardest to diagnose sesame plant diseases is bacterial leaf spot. It looks like many fungal leaf spots. The two bacteria that cause the disease overwinter in soil in plant debris. Their symptoms start out as small brown lesions with yellow edges or irregular, reddish brown spots, dependent upon which bacteria is introduced. The bacteria gets onto plants through wind and rain splash. Proper plant spacing and enhanced drainage minimize the risk of transmission. Cleaning the field of all old plant material and practicing a three year cycle of rotation will also help prevent the diseases.
Other Problems with Sesame
Sick sesame plants may have other issues outside of disease. Since most varieties available are resistant to the most common diseases, the ailing plants may be victims of weed pressure, improperly prepared soil, crowding, excess moisture, and many more items. Sesame plants are very sensitive to the most common herbicides and can show ill effects from drift of chemical preparations. Always follow the directions on any chemical and use on a wind free day, early in the morning and before the sun is glaring.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.
-
8 Plants You Should Prune In October – Don't Miss The Fall Trimming Window
Prune these plants before the frost hits to avoid pests and diseases, and to ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms next year.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Climate Change And Pests: Do Warmer Winters Mean More Pests?
Warmer climates can result in an increase of some pests and decrease of others, which isn’t always a good thing. Here's how to protect your garden.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Container Grown Sesame – Learn About Growing Sesame In A Container
Sesame in pots grown on your patio or balcony will not give you a huge harvest of seeds, but it’s still worthwhile. You can get about 70 seeds per pod and multiple pods on one small plant. And it is a pretty plant too. Click here to learn more about potted sesame plants.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Sesame Seed Benefits – Should You Be Eating Sesame Seeds
The benefits of sesame seeds seem to go beyond adding fiber and nutrition with a tasty crunch. Sesame seed benefits have been found to possess many other possible uses too. Click on the following article to learn more about how sesame seeds can be good for you.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Sesame Pest Control – How To Kill Bugs That Eat Sesame Plants
Although sesame is a relatively hardy plant, it can be bugged by a number of insect pests. Learn about pests of sesame in this article. We will also provide tips on how to cope with sesame pest problems in the garden. Click here for more information.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Sesame Seed Drying – How To Dry Sesame Seeds From Your Plants
Everybody likes sesame seeds on bagels, sushi and stir-fries, and the tiny seeds can also be ground into sesame oil and tahini paste. If you’ve got a garden, you may like to start growing your own. Click this article for tips on drying and storing sesame seeds.
By Teo Spengler
-
Ailing Sesame Plants – Learn About Common Sesame Seed Issues
Growing sesame in the garden is an option if you live in a hot, dry climate. Sesame thrives in those conditions. Care is largely hands-off, but there are some occasional issues you may face with growing sesame. Click this article to learn more about potential sesame seed issues.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Sesame Seed Propagation: Learn When To Plant Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are tasty and a kitchen staple. They can be toasted to add nuttiness to dishes or made into nutritious oil and a delicious paste. If you love growing your own food, consider growing sesame from seed for a new and rewarding challenge. This article will help.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Picking Sesame Seeds – Learn How to Harvest Sesame Seeds
Have you ever bitten into a sesame bagel or dipped into some hummus and wondered how to grow and harvest those tiny sesame seeds? And when are sesame seeds ready for picking anyway? Find answers to these questions in the following article.
By Amy Grant
-
Sesame Plant Seeds: What Is Sesame Used For
If all you know about sesame seeds is from eating sesame seed hamburger buns, then you’re missing out. Sesame plant seeds have numerous uses far beyond that burger. So what else can you do with sesame seeds? Click here to find out how to use sesame seeds at home.
By Amy Grant