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Climate change and increasing competition for water in arid and semi-arid regions intensify moisture stress in sesame production. Deficit irrigation (DI) is therefore essential to optimize yield with limited water. This study investigated the potential of two eco-friendly amendments zeolite and chitosan to mitigate drought effects in sesame. A split-factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations (Tehran and Yazd). Irrigation treatments included optimal irrigation (I1; 50% available soil water depletion), moderate drought (I2; 65%), and severe drought (I3; 80%). Subplots received zeolite (0 and 4.5 t ha⁻ 1 ) and foliar applications of chitosan (0.4% and 0.5%) or controls. Under I1, the combined application of zeolite and 0.5% chitosan markedly improved leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, oil content, and harvest index. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and POD) increased, accompanied by a moderate rise in malondialdehyde (MDA). Under I2, treatments enhanced LAI, grain yield, oil content, and soluble protein without significant changes in MDA. Under I3, zeolite and chitosan improved LAI, grain and oil yield, increased POD and CAT activities, and reduced MDA. Overall, applying zeolite (4.5 t ha⁻ 1 ) and chitosan (0.5%) effectively alleviated drought stress by enhancing physiological performance, yield, and antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate the potential of zeolite and chitosan as sustainable solutions to improve drought tolerance in sesame cultivation, particularly in water-scarce environments.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of organic mulches as a sustainable strategy to mitigate water deficit stress in sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.). A field experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three irrigation regimes—no stress (Irr100, 100% field capacity (FC)), mild stress (Irr80, 80% FC), and severe stress (Irr60, 60% FC)—and four mulch treatments (straw, biochar, vermicompost, and an unmulched control). Severe water stress (Irr60) reduced grain yield and oil yield by 48% and 54%, respectively, compared with optimal irrigation (Irr100). Organic mulching significantly alleviated these losses, with biochar consistently outperforming the other treatments. Under optimal irrigation, biochar increased grain yield by 170% relative to the control, and this advantage increased to 188% under severe stress. Biochar also produced the highest 100-grain weight (0.25 g) and improved oil quality by increasing oleic acid content to 50.28%. Mulch application enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance, as indicated by increased relative water content (up to 26% with straw under Irr100), chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase) under stress. In addition, biochar-treated plants under severe stress showed the greatest accumulation of osmolytes, including proline (55%) and total phenolics (42%). Overall, biochar was the most effective mulch for enhancing physiological resilience, yield, and oil quality in sesame grown under water-limited conditions, highlighting its potential as a practical management strategy for sustainable sesame production in water-scarce environments.

The study aimed to characterize wild relatives and traditional cultivars of sesame based on their morphology and biochemical properties, including crude protein, oil content, fatty acid profiles, and total phenol content. The study included accessions of Sesamum indicum , S. radiatum , S. mulayanum , and S. malabaricum . A comparative analysis revealed significant variation in flower color among the species. S. indicum had pale purplish-pink flowers, while S. mulayanum and S. malabaricum had dark violet flowers, and S. radiatum had white flowers with violet borders. Differences in capsule hairiness were also noted, with cultivated species having glabrous capsules, while wild species exhibited hairy capsules. The hairiness ranged from weakly hairy capsules in S. mulayanum and S. malabaricum to strongly hairy capsules in S. radiatum . All 27 genotypes produced a single flower per axil, a trait common across all sesame species. The S. indicum accession, Ayali 1, produced the most capsules per plant, while S. radiatum (IC 256273) produced the fewest. S. radiatum accessions had the longest and broadest capsules, while the shortest and narrowest capsules were found in S. malabaricum . Cultivated sesame varieties produced larger and heavier seeds compared to wild species. The highest phenol content was recorded in S. radiatum (IC 210433), while the lowest was observed in Kayamkulam 1. Seed yield per plant showed a strong positive correlation with the number of capsules per plant, 1000 seed weight, and oil content, while a significant negative correlation was found between phenol content, plant height, and seed yield. Oil content analysis revealed that the highest oil yield came from Thilak seeds, while the lowest yield was observed in S. malabaricum (IC 557243). Fatty acid profiling showed the presence of both saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, margaric acid, and arachidic acid) and unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, eicosanoic acid, 11-eicosenoic acid, and linolelaidic acid) in varying proportions across sesame samples.

In the Northern region of Burkina Faso, the soils degradation and the irregularity of the rainfall patterns have been the major constraints that affect the food security. The stakeholders developed the initiatives aiming to reduce the effects of the climatic changes. In order to integrate the structures of agricultural researches, the objectives were to assess for farmers preferences on improved sesame seeds, to breed for improved varieties adapted to the soil and the climate; to evaluate and select the most ideal sesame variety of Yatenga. A survey has been done on 126 farmers of two rural communes (Barga and Namissiguima) in the province of the Yatenga. The rate of adoption of the improved varieties of sesame is 83.33%. The econometric results have shown that the decisions of adoption of the varieties improved were based on: age, the level of training, the number of workforce and the number of cattle possessed by the household. In a changing climate marked by cycles of season?s disturbances, it is more than necessary to promote improved varieties adopted socio-economic conditions of producers focusing on training farmers to use rationally improved varieties taking into account the recommendations of research.

Infection stages of charcoal rot fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in sesame revealed for the first time a transition from biotrophy via BNS (biotrophy-to-necrotrophy switch) to necrotrophy as confirmed by transcriptional studies. Microscopy using normal and GFP-expressing pathogen showed typical constricted thick intercellular bitrophic hyphae which gave rise to thin intracellular necrotrophic hyphae during BNS and this stage was delayed in a resistant host. Results also show that as the pathogen switched its strategy of infection, the host tailored its defense strategy to meet the changing situation. Less ROS accumulation, upregulation of ROS signaling genes and higher antioxidant enzyme activities post BNS resulted in resistance. There was greater accumulation of secondary metabolites and upregulation of secondary metabolite-related genes after BNS. A total of twenty genes functioning in different aspects of plant defense that were monitored over a time course during the changing infection phases showed a coordinated response. Experiments using phytohormone priming and phytohormone inhibitors showed that resistance resulted from activation of JA-ET signaling pathway. Most importantly this defense response was more prompt in the resistant than the susceptible host indicating that a resistant host makes different choices from a susceptible host during infection which ultimately influences the severity of the disease.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a major oilseed crop known for its substantial amount of natural antioxidants. Lignan is believed to be the primary attribute for the antioxidant properties of sesame. However, information related to lignans in sesame oils are still deficient and little is known about enzymes involved in conversion of sesamin to sesamolin and from piperitol to sesamolinol. In this study, we used metabolomic (targeted LC-MS) and transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analyses to identify metabolites and key genes associated with lignan production during the young stage (YS) and matured stages (MS) of Sesame seed. The contents of 7 lignan type metabolites and expression of 83 unigenes involved in the lignan pathway differed considerably between YS and MS; 6 of metabolites were only detected at MS while no sesamol is detected in both stages. Similar to metabolite analysis output in RNA Seq analysis majority of genes in lignan biosynthesis pathway were upregulated at MS. These findings will enhance our knowledge of lignan biosynthesis in seeds and provide a foundation for molecular breeding in sesame.

Background Sesame ( Sesame indicum L.) is well-known as a versatile industrial crop having various usages and contains 50–55% oil, 20% protein, 14–20% carbohydrate and 2–3% fiber. Several environmental factors are known to adversely affect yield and productivity of sesame. Our overall aim was to improve the growth, yield and quality of sesame cv. TS-3 using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and saving the nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers (NP) by 50%. Field experiment (randomized complete block design) was conducted during the months of July to October of two consecutive years 2012–2013. Azospirillum (AL) and Azotobacter (AV) were applied as seed inoculation alone as well as along with half of the recommended dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) fertilizers (urea and diammonium phosphate) at the rate of 25 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha respectively. Results Here we report that A. lipoferum along with half dose of NP fertilizers (ALCF) were highly effective in increasing the agronomic and yield traits of sesame as compared to the control. A. vinelandii plus NP fertilizers (AVCF) exhibited higher seed oil content. Minimum acid value, optimum specific gravity and modified fatty acid composition were observed in ALCF treatment. Increase in oleic acid by ALCF is directly linked with improved oil quality for health benefits as oleic acid is the fatty acid which creates a balance between saturation and unsaturation of oil and for the hypotensive (blood pressure reducing) effects. Conclusion It is inferred that ALCF treatment improved plant growth, seed yield and oil quality of sesame pertaining to good quality edible oil production.

Soil salinity is a significant abiotic stress that restricts plant growth and agricultural productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer an eco-friendly and sustainable strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity by enhancing nutrient availability and promoting plant development. In this study, twelve halophilic bacterial isolates were obtained from saline soils of coastal regions in India and screened for PGPR traits, including siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia production, exopolysaccharide (EPS), cellulase activity, and phosphate solubilization. Based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, three salt-tolerant PGPR strains were identified ( Pseudomonas toyotomiensis , Bacillus subtilis , and Bacillus cereus ). Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) plants were cultivated in saline soil and inoculated with these isolates. After 45 days, PGPR-treated plants exhibited significantly improved morphological traits and metabolic activity compared to the control plants. Moreover, antioxidant activity was enhanced considerably, along with notable improvements in sesame oil quality and the soil’s physicochemical properties. These findings demonstrate the potential of halotolerant PGPR as effective bioinoculants for enhancing sesame growth and salinity stress tolerance in salt-affected soils.

IntroductionSesame allergy, though with low prevalence, can result in severe, potentially life-threatening reactions and poses challenges in allergen avoidance due to hidden sources. In the majority of patients, sesame allergy persists and there is currently no effective long-term treatment available. Therefore, oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising alternative approach to managing sesame allergy. In this study protocol, we present a randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of OIT with low-dose sesame protein in paediatric patients. The study’s aim is to compare OIT with a 300 mg maintenance dose of sesame protein against controls.Methods and analysis39 participants aged 3–17 with IgE-mediated sesame allergy confirmed by oral food challenge will be enrolled into the study. The trial will be conducted at the Paediatric Hospital of the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. The study comprises two arms—sesame OIT and control. In the sesame OIT group, interventions will be administered once daily for up to 18 months. During the first phase, the dose will be escalated every 2–4 weeks, and in the second phase, the maintenance dose of 300 mg sesame protein will continue for 3 months. Members of the control group will receive standard treatment, which includes an elimination diet and will remain under observation for 1 year. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants tolerating a single dose of 4000 mg of sesame protein during the final oral food challenge in the experimental group versus the control group. Secondary outcomes assess adverse events, changes in immunological parameters and the maximum tolerated doses of sesame protein in each group.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw (approval number: KB/269/2023). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated via presentations at international conferences.Trial registration number NCT06261554.

Background The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) gene family is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, involved in plant development, growth, and in the response to diverse stresses. However, comprehensive analysis of the HD-Zip genes, especially those involved in response to drought and salinity stresses is lacking in sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.), an important oil crop in tropical and subtropical areas. Results In this study, 45 HD-Zip genes were identified in sesame, and denominated as SiHDZ01-SiHDZ45. Members of SiHDZ family were classified into four groups (HD-Zip I-IV) based on the phylogenetic relationship of Arabidopsis HD-Zip proteins, which was further supported by the analysis of their conserved motifs and gene structures. Expression analyses of SiHDZ genes based on transcriptome data showed that the expression patterns of these genes were varied in different tissues. Additionally, we showed that at least 75% of the SiHDZ genes were differentially expressed in responses to drought and salinity treatments, and highlighted the important role of HD-Zip I and II genes in stress responses in sesame. Conclusions This study provides important information for functional characterization of stress-responsive HD-Zip genes and may contribute to the better understanding of the molecular basis of stress tolerance in sesame.