Sesame-Harvest and storage

Sesame is harvested in around 3 months. Examine the 10th capsule for seed color. If the color is black then the crop is ready for harvest.

At the harvesting time 25% of bottom leaves will be dropped. The top leaves lose their green colour and will turn to pale yellow. The colour of the stem also turns yellow. Capsules up to middle of the stem turn yellow.

Harvesting should be preferably done in the early morning. The plants are uprooted from the field. The root portions are removed and the plant is stacked in bundles for 3-4 days. By that time the leaves will fall off.

The bundles are spread in the sun and are beaten with sticks to break open the capsules. Repeat this for 3 days. The seeds are then cleaned and dried in sun for about 7 days.

The seeds are then stored in poly bags, tin bins, wooden receptacles or in earthen pots. By doing so the viability can be maintained for about one year. Admixture of seeds with ash will drastically reduce germination.