annual crop production

1. Introduction
Simsim is also known as sesame it is an oil seed crop with 45-55% content. The crop is wide grown in
humidity tropical and sub tropical regions in Africa in many parts of Africa its production has expanded
as the result of:
a) Non- shattering varieties which can be harvested mechanically.
b) Increase demand of simsim consumption by human being
c) The crop has a reasonable price in local market.
Origin
Said to be probably the hotter and dry parts of Mediterranean regions Africa, India as the Far East world
larger produce India, Chinese and Burma. In Africa Sudan is the 1st
.
Plant characteristics
• Simsim is annual which grows to the height of 0.9-1.9m.
• The stem is branched or unbranched depending on the variety.
• The upper haves are alternate which the lower haves are opposite.
• The seed mature 90-135 days after seedling mergence.
• Seed are small and flat and depending up on the variety they can be white, red brown or black.
• Seeds are very light approx 100b seeds weigh 4-5 gram.
• Seeds maturity is very uneven the same plant may still be flowering at the top when the seeds at
the base of the stem are approaching maturity
• The plant is 95% self-pollination.
Uses
a) Source of cooking oil
b) Used as a bases of perfumes and in soap industries
c) Used in medicine as a carriers a fat soluble substance
d) Source of animal feed and manure
e) Source of income.
Varieties
The local varieties of simsim are branched and drought resistant but have low yielding capacity and are
susceptible to most diseases.
Breeding programme carried out in southern Tanzania was aimed at producing higher yielding varieties.
In the program morada which originated in Congo and under go some improvement in Venezuela was
crossed with local varieties which produce good result they combine the higher yielding ability of morada
with drought resistance of local varieties the highbred are capable of yielding 34% more than Morada
We have the following varieties:-
a) Morada -2
b) Venezuela -51
c) Ssbs-4
d) Ssbs-7
SIMSIM (Sesamum indicum)

2. e) Local varieties
Distribution
-Mtwara, Lindi, Ruvuma, Tanga, Coast, Morogoro, Rukwa and in the lower parts of Mbeya.
Characteristics of Morada
a) It has purple stem and leaves
b) It is moderately drought resistant although not to such an extent as the local varieties
c) Bear two-three capsules at each node when compared to one in the local varieties.
d) Less susceptible to aphid and some diseases such as cercospora and alternate.
e) Initial morada out yield local varieties twice as much.
Ecological requirements
Rainfall:
The plant is drought resistant due to the fact that the plant has more creative (creative) roots system.
Rainfall of 400-500mm. provide good crop.
But in East Africa it is not grow well in areas which receive less than 750mm.
Most conditions are needed during the early stages of growth but heavy rainfall after sowing can wash out
the planted seed.
Altitude & temperature
Do best from sea level up to 1500mm growth and fruiting are favoured by temperature around 27%.
Photoperiod
Most varieties of simsim are photoperiod sensitive Venezuela 51 is said to be day neutral.
Soil requirement
Need fertile soil and well drained soil especially sand loam.
Field operations:
Seedbed preparation.
A moderately fine rough seedbed is needed and should be free from weeds.
Reasons: very fine seedbed is likely to form a cap if heavy rainfall, thus hindering emergency of seedling.
Time of sowing
To be done as possible in the first long rains
-Mtwara, Lindi, and Ruvuma, early January and mid January.
-Morogoro, Tanga and Coast-February –March.
Sowing depth –not deeper that than 4cm- 5cm
-Spacing- 23cm x 23cm after thinning when broadcasted
-20cm x 30cm or 10cm x 60cm when drilled.
Note: seeds should be mixed with soil so as to have even distribution.
See rate: 5-9kg/ha when broadcasted

3. Weeding: the crop cant complete with weeds especially early stage as it develops very slowly efficient
weed control is therefore important you can use selective herbicide (pre emergency such CIPC).
Pests:
1. Flea beetle-Aphithon bimaculata
The most important pest in southern Tanzania attack young plants after three days emergency, the pest
attack leaves then the plant wilt and finally die.
In well developed stage the pest bores the leaves.
Control:
-Use of deeldrum as seed dressing or in the seedbed
-too early planted crop attached fast so planting should commence from January.
2. Simsim web worm- Antigastria catalaunalis
Control
-Splay with DDT 25% 2 week intervals.
-Early planting as the pest is very serious during the dry period and at the end of season
Harvesting-sign of maturity
-older leaves change their normal colour and shed off
-lower capsule change into yellow colour.
Uprooting or use of knife to cut the stem should be done carefully so to avoid shattering capsules the
harvested plant are then stoked or tied to a fence which has been previously constructed in the field or
homestead late harvested simsim split their capsule and shed off their seeds.
Threshing is done by sticks. Winnowing and then storage is the final stage/process.
Yield: 450-550kg/ha, Morada 950kg of seeds/ha

4. Origin: Southern California
Sunflower means the response of sunflower head to the sun movement throughout the day.
This condition is referred to as HELIOTROPISM.
Importance of the crop.
 Source of cooking oil 25-55% oil content.
 Its oil can be used in the manufacturing of soap paints and varieties of uses
 Source of animal feed (sunflower cake).
-the production and potentiality of the crop is not in good position due to the following.
a) Low emphasize put on the crop as cash crop
b) Low world market price
c) Severe bird damage which can result up to 50% crop loss, diseases infestation and insect
pest damage.
However: the cultivation of the crop is increasing nowadays after efficient local extraction.
Popularity of the crop
-low labour requirement
-relative drought hardness
-it can be planted late and still produce a good crops.
Distribution
Dodoma, Singida, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Iringa, Tabora and Ruvuma.
Botanical description
-An annual crop which grow from 0.6m-4.5m depending on the varieties.
-Have a strong tap root system
-The stems are seldom branched and have ovate leaves.
-The flower can have 0.3m in diameter and have yellow petals
-Flowering date 3-4 months after planting and maturity is 3.5-6months depending on the variety.
-The crop is self-pollinated bud but in case of large number of insects cross pollination is pollination is
possible.
Ecological:
-very drought tolerant possibly due to their deep tap root system.
-Grow well in areas which receive an annual rainfall of 750mm or more.
-For best yield they need a reasonable rainfall during the three weeks that coincide with flowering.
-Dry weather is needed at ripening period other wise the heads rot
-Altitude 0 – 2600m above sea level
-The crop has the ability to tolerate high temperature, warm weather and low humidity.
SUNFLOWER: Helianthus annus

5. Soil: Any soil that will produce a good crop of maize is suitable for sunflower production
Varieties
1) Recad – for oil extraction
2) Jupital - for export
3) Romania
4) GOR 104
5) Black
6) White stripped
Field operations:
Seedbed preparation.
-well ploughed 15cm well harrowed and free from any type of weed.
-flat or ridge seedbed can be used.
Time of planting
-Southern highlands-mid December-mid January depending on the rainfall pattern
In areas with two wet season e.g. Morogoro planting is done at the beginning of the long rains feb-march.
Sowing method & depth
-sowing can be done by hand or maize planter
-seeds per hole 3-4 seeds when planted by hand
Spacing
-75 x 30cm or 75 x 40cm, seed rate 8 – 12kg/ha
Fertilizer application
Nitrogen- 80kg/ha applied in splits at knee height and when the crop approaching flowering.
Weeding and Economical: Before the crop reaches 90cm tall.
-After that the crop canopy suppress the weeds
-During weeding earthing up and thinning are of great importance.
-Use herbicide drift cause
a) Stunting of the plant
b) Curling of the leaves
c) Sterility of seeds
d) Malformation of sunflower head
e) When serious the plant may die
BUT: this damage can be prevented by using low volatile herbicide and applying then with high rate of
water to reduce drift.
INSECT PEST AND DISEASES
A. BIRDS
Control
a) Birds scaring
b) Used of the improved varieties which flower and reach maturity at the sometime
c) Lager area suffer less damage than small area, small area more than larger area due to plant bird
distribution ratio

6. B. RATS
Very serious after planting as they dig and feed on the planted seeds
Control: use chemical such as varfarin and Zink phosphide.
C. TERMITES
The damage is serious during flowering time when the plant has accumulated a lot of cellulose; they eat
plant serious at medium altitude.
Control- use aldrin dust.
D. American bollworm- Helienthis xylostella
Damage:

7. B. RATS
Very serious after planting as they dig and feed on the planted seeds
Control: use chemical such as varfarin and Zink phosphide.
C. TERMITES
The damage is serious during flowering time when the plant has accumulated a lot of cellulose; they eat
plant serious at medium altitude.
Control- use aldrin dust.
D. American bollworm- Helienthis xylostella
Damage: