Sesame is currently an attractive crop because sales contracts are readily available and demand is increasing. This crop, which produces small, flavorful grains, holds great promise for grain growers in North Carolina.David Suchoff, a soil and plant science researcher at North Carolina State University, asserts that sesame is an attractive new alternative crop. He is leading a research project with a new $63,000 grant for North Carolina over two years to determine the feasibility of sesame production in the region.Sesame is a low-input, drought- and heat-tolerant crop that yields seeds with high oleic and linoleic acid content. Suchoff argues that this warm-weather, rainy crop is attractive to North Carolina growers for a number of reasons. “Farmers who grow grains on large areas have well-established systems and equipment that are almost identical to those used for growing sesame. Sesame is also attractive because contracts are readily available, demand is increasing, and the original crop has the ability to resist some of the most difficult-to-treat root-damaging nematode diseases.” Suchoff's two-year study will evaluate the growth potential, yield, and seed quality of three commercially grown sesame varieties. The team's research will be conducted in four of North Carolina's developing regions, including the Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, and Tidewater Research Station."We will also consider the appropriate nitrogen fertilization rate and planting distance," Suchoff said. Nematode resistance Another unusual characteristic of sesame is that the plant appears to be resistant to root-knot nematodes – a common agricultural pest.“Guava root-knot nematode disease (GRKN, Meloidogyne enterolobii ) was discovered in North Carolina in 2003 and has now been confirmed in 13 counties, primarily in the Central Coastal Plains region,” said assistant professor of plant pathology and co-researcher Adrienne Gorny. “Like other nematode diseases, GRKN causes swellings and blisters on the roots, negatively impacting root development and function.” GRKN is of particular concern because it is a difficult disease to treat and can affect many types of crops. “This species damages sweet potatoes, soybeans, tobacco, cotton, peppers, watermelons, and many other vegetables. It can persist year after year on these crops, increasing the planted area and making it difficult to control, especially when these crops are used in crop rotation,” Gorny said. "If sesame is not a host for nematodes, then the pests will starve," she added. Currently, the list of non-host crops for GRKN is relatively small, including corn, peanuts, and small grains (such as wheat, oats, and rye). The research team is excited to investigate sesame because there is very little research data on the interaction between sesame and root-knot nematode disease.Sesame is not only interesting from an economic and agronomic standpoint, but it also adds biodiversity to farms and attracts beneficial pollinators and insects. Suchoff notes, “In some parts of the world, growers also rely on sesame to bring in bountiful honey harvests.” Most common insect pests, such as weevils and earworms, have organic treatment options, so sesame has significant potential for organic growers. “If we find that sesame has a positive effect in reducing nematode populations, organic producers could consider crop rotation with sesame as a chemical-free alternative to nematode control. That’s an exciting possibility,” Gorny said.Sesame seeds are primarily grown for their oil, and are a high-quality seed with high oleic and linoleic acid content, making them suitable for health foods, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. Sesame seeds are used as an ingredient in baked goods such as rolls and bagels. In the United States, sesame is widely grown in Texas and Oklahoma. The humid and saline coastal climate of North Carolina may provide new formulations in disease management and post-harvest treatment, but Suchoff notes that increased humidity can also improve crop yields.Suchoff argued that if the yield and quality of sesame seeds here were similar to those in the western region, it would prove the experiment was successful. However, he noted that even if the plants thrived during flowering, there were still many potential risks that needed to be addressed. "I'm eager to experiment with this crop... and I'm optimistic about the prospects for sesame," he concluded.