Developing commercial scale agronomic practices and the value chain for sesame seed in Ontario

Lead Applicant: Rene Van Acker

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe

Research Summary: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an edible, indeterminant oilseed crop with a diverse germplasm that can grow under a wide range of environmental conditions and soil types. It is a warm-season broadleaf species, which is predominately grown for culinary use as a whole seed or crushed for oil and paste (tahini) by the baking and confectionary industries. Ontario growers and processors have expressed interest in growing and sourcing the crop locally rather than importing from international producers. This project will build on previous U of G/OMAFRA research by expanding field trials (planting/harvesting) to a commercial scale (~30 ac), identifying strategies to optimize harvest timing, refining herbicide tolerance studies and evaluating new varieties and crop quality for end uses as whole seed and extracted oil. Successful completion of this project will provide growers with new information on sesame production under Ontario growing conditions and the commercial potential of sesame.