Establishment of sesame cultivation practices as succeeding cropping system of watermelon in the greenhouse condition.

This experiment was conducted to develop optimum sesame cultivation practices as succeeding cropping system of watermelon in the greenhouse condition. We also compared major components in sesame seed cultivated in the greenhouse and open field condition. The adaptable varieties under the greenhouse condition were white sesame ‘Pyoungan’ and black sesame ‘Jinki’ which showed higher yield and disease resistance. We also conducted several experiments to determine optimum sowing date, planting density and pinching time. Grain yields were statistically different according to the several sowing dates. In general, sesame sowing on June 30th showed higher grain yields than July 10th, July 20th and July 30th in the greenhouse. We also found out sesame cultivation practice with the row spacing of 40 cm and interplant spacing of 30 cm (a few branch type) or 40 cm (many branch type) showed higher yield than other treatments. Optimum pinching time was 25 days after first flowering in main stem when thousand seed weight and grain yield were highest. In the comparison of major components of sesame at the different cultivation conditions, sesame seeds cultivated in the greenhouse contained 4% much more oil content than open field condition. The lignan compounds, sesamin and sesamolin were also higher by 6% in the greenhouse than open field condition. It was concluded that sesame cultivation practices as succeeding cropping system of watermelon in the greenhouse condition guaranteed higher grain yield with less labor input which is now emerging alternative farming practice system in present aging rural society and will also give sesame cultivation farmers to increase net income in Korea.