Valuating productivity and energy Use efficiency in mechanized sesame cultivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.6355Keywords:
efficiency, energetics, energy input, energy output, mechanization , sesame , yieldAbstract
A field investigation at the regional research station in Vriddhachalam, Tamil Nadu, during summer and Kharif 2023 and in the summer of 2024 assessed crop establishment techniques, weed management and harvesting methods on sesame yield and energy efficiency. The main plot treatments included an inclined plate planter with pelletized seeds (M1), a pneumatic precision planter with pelletized seeds (M2), a pneumatic precision planter without pelletized seeds (M3) and manual line sowing (M4). Subplot treatments comprised Quizalofop ethyl + reaper binder (S1), Quizalofop ethyl + manual harvest (S2), hand weeding + reaper binder (S3) and hand weeding + manual harvest (S4) in a split-plot design. Line-sown sesame consistently produced higher seed (811, 768, 883 kg/ha) and biological yields (3436, 2979, 3869 kg/ ha) along with improved energy parameters, including energy ratio (1.696, 1.617, 1.828), net gain energy and energy productivity across three seasons. Pneumatic precision planters without pelletized seeds showed higher specific energy and energy intensity, while inclined plate planters with pelletized seeds recorded greater economic energy intensity. Among subplot treatments, hand weeding with reaper binder or manual harvest (S3, S4) resulted in superior seed and biological yields, lower energy input, higher energy output and better energy productivity. However, Quizalofop ethyl + manual harvest (S2) exhibited increased specific energy and economic energy intensity. This study highlights the benefits of sustainable practices and energy-efficient mechanization in sesame cultivation. The combination of line sowing, manual weed control and mechanized harvesting optimizes energy use and enhances productivity, supporting eco-friendly and economically viable sesame farming.
Downloads
References
Biswas S, Natta S, Ray DP, Mondal P, Saha U. Til (Sesamum indicum L.)-An underexploited but promising oilseed with multifarious applications: A review. Int J Biores Sci. 2018;5(2):127–39. https://doi.org/10.30954/2347-9655.02.2018.8
Chandrasekaran H, Perumal V, Karunakaran V, Sivagamy K, Ravichandran V, Perumal K, et al. Effect of organic inputs on the productivi ty of confectionery sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). J PlantNutr.2024:19. https:doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2024.2404706
Divya V, Velayudham K, Thavaprakaash N, Daisy M. Growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as influenced by system of crop intensification (SCI) practices. Andhra Pradesh J Agril Sci. 2015;1(2):62–66.
Kumar M, Bangar SP, Panesar PS. Oilseed meal as a sustainable contributor to plant-based protein: paving the way towards circular economy and nutritional security. Springer Nature: AZ, Switzerland; 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47880-2
Kathiravan M, Vanitha C, Ayyadurai P, Yuvaraj M. Field performance of sesame varieties under rainfed ecosystem in southern Tamil Nadu, India. Asian Res J Agric. 2024;17(2):70–75. https://doi.org/10.9734/arja/2024/v17i2423
Nirmala DM, Harisudan C, Arunachalam R. Impact study of machine transplantation in rice and its socioeconomic comparison with conventional method of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu, India. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci. 2020;9(6):977–83. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.906.122
Pandian PS, Thavaprakaash N. Influence of weed management methods on weed characteristics, yield and economics of machine-transplanted rice. Int J Farm Sci. 2019;9(1):80–84. https://doi.org/10.5958/2250-0499.2019.00012.0
Bandhiya R, Gaadhe S, Chavda S, Gojiya K, Gojiya DK, Chavda D. Cultivation of sesame crop in mechanized way. Int Res J Modern Eng Technol Sci. 2023;5(8):1455–61. https://doi.org/10.56726/IRJMETS44115
Diljun GM, Sinha VSP, Chamola M, Singh P, Mishra A, Dobhal R. Estimation and comparison of energy input–output and efficiency indices for rice–wheat agroecosystems of Doon Valley, India. Curr Sci. 2022;123(7):881–86. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v123/i7/881-886
Krishnan VS, Aruna TN, Jayakrishna S, Kumar K, Ramappa, Hallad SC, et al. Energy consumption pattern in irrigated paddy cultivation in Thiruvanamalai district of Tamil Nadu: A case study. J Exp Agric Int. 2024;46(5):937–43. https://doi.org/10.9734/jeai/2024/v46i52449
Kumar D, Singh M, Kumar S, Meena RK, Kumar R, Yadav MR, Kumar P. Energy budgeting and carbon footprints estimation of fodder maize varieties sown under different nutrient management practices in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Agronomy2023;13(4):981.https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13040981
Elsoragaby S, Yahya A, Mahadi MR, Nawi NM, Mairghany M. Energy utilization in major crop cultivation. Energy. 2019;173:1285–303.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.142
Devasenapathy P, Senthilkumar G, Shanmugam PM. Energy management in crop production. Indian J Agron. 2009;54:80–89. https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v54i1.4771
Mittal JP, Dhawan KC. Research manual on energy requirements in agricultural sector. New Delhi, India: ICAR; 1988.
Toader M, Gheorghe L. Researches over the efficacy of the technologic process of cereal straw briquetting. UPB Sci Bull D Mech Eng. 2014;76:239–46.
Singh KP, Prakash V, Srinivas K, Srivastva AK. Effect of tillage management on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems under the rainfed conditions in North-West Himalayan Region. Soil Till Res. 2008;100:78–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2008.04.011
Singh H, Mishra D, Nahar NM. Energy use pattern in production agriculture of a typical village in Arid Zone India-Part I. Energy Convers Manag. 2002;43(16):2275–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(01)00161-3
Akpinar MG, Burhan O, Sayin C, Fert C. An input-output energy analysis on main and double cropping sesame production. J Food Agric Environ. 2009;7:464–67.
Dogan T, Zeybek A. Improving the traditional sesame seed planting with seed pelleting. Afr J Biotechnol. 2009;8(22):6120–26. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB09.176
Chavhan KR, Chaudhari RD, Kolage AK, Mahajan HS. Response of sesame to different weed management practices in Maharashtra, India. Int J Plant Soil Sci. 2023;35(15):111–15. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2023/v35i153085
Grichar WJ, Rose JJ, Dotray PA, Baughman TA, Langham DR, Werner K, Bagavathiannan M. Response of sesame to selected herbicides applied early in the growing season. Int J Agron. 2018;1:9373721. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9373721
Rout PK, Pradhan PL, Nanda SK. Mechanized groundnut cultivation in dry land of Odisha. Agric Eng Today. 2013;37(4):1–6.
Muhieldeen OA, Eldin SA, Mohamed A, Yousif E. A comparison of different planting machines with manual sowing for sorghum crop in central Sudan. Int J Eng Res Technol. 2020;3(1):2505–15.
Tyagi PK, Shukla KC, Chourasia SK, Singh SP. Critical weed-crop competition period versus yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) at Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. J Rural Agric Res. 2013;13(2):107–10.
Reddy KM, Kumar DV, Reddy BR, Reddy BS. Mechanization of groundnut crop in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2020;9(1):1550–53.
Arivazhagan M, Harisudan C, Baskaran R, Mohankumar AP, Bharathi KK. Does groundnut mechanization improve the energy use efficiency and productivity of groundnut?. Pharma Innov J. 2023;12(10S):253–56. https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2023.v12.i10Sd.23330
Firouzi S, Nikkhah A, Khojastehpour M, Holden NM. Energy use efficiency, GHG emissions and carbon efficiency of paddy rice production in Iran. Energy Equip Syst. 2016;4(2):169–76. https://doi.org/10.22059/ees.2016.23035
Ibrahim HY. Energy inputs and crop yield relationship for sesame production in North Central Nigeria. J Agric Technol. 2011;7(4):907–14.
Lal S, Dubey RP, Das GK, Suryavanshi T. Energy budgeting of weed management in soybean. 2016;394–99. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-8164.2016.00103.9
Rabari P, Hatti V, Jat JR, Chaudhary MG, Chaudhary GK, Kumar V. Assessment of weed management practices on weed control and productivity as evidenced by economics and energetics analysis in groundnut. Asian Res J Agric. 2024;17(3):66–82. https://doi.org/10.9734/arja/2024/v17i3473
Ozbek O, Celik SA, Colak IA, Gokdogan O. Energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) production in Türkiye. Turk J Agric Food Sci Technol. 2024;12(6):911–17. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v12i6.911-917.6756
Chaudhary VP, Singh KK, Pratibha G, Bhattacharyya R, Shamim M, Srinivas I, Patel A. Energy conservation and greenhouse gas mitigation under different production systems in rice cultivation. Energy. 2017;130:307–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.131
Yousif LA. Energy use efficiency for sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) production in large-scale rainfed schemes eastern Sudan. J Agric Sci. 2021;6(2):61–77. https://doi.org/10.52981/fajas.v6i2.2779
Malhi GS, Rana MC, Kumar S, Rehmani MIA, Hashem A, Abd Allah EF, et al. Efficacy, energy budgeting and carbon footprints of weed management in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). Sustainability. 2021;13(23):13239. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313239
Banaeian N, Zangeneh M. Study on energy efficiency in corn production of Iran. Energy. 2011;36(8):5394–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.06.052
Bohra JS, Kumar R. Effect of crop establishment methods on productivity, profitability and energetics of rice (Oryza sativa)- wheat (Triticum aestivum) system. Indian J Agric Sci. 2015;85(2):217–23. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v85i2.46502

Downloads
Published
Versions
- 23-02-2025 (2)
- 17-02-2025 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 M Pragatheeswaran, N Thavaprakaash, C Harisudan, R Umarani, R Kavitha, M Baskar

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright and Licence details of published articles
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Open Access Policy
Plant Science Today is an open access journal. There is no registration required to read any article. All published articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC Attribution 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).