ABSTRACT
Sesame is variously named as gingelly or til or tila. It belongs to the family Pedaliaceae. Sesame is thought to have originated in India, though its origin is sometimes traced to southern and south-western Africa and also to the East Indies. The crop is mainly grown in the tropics and subtropics. Principal sesame-producing countries are India, China, Turkey, Burma, and Pakistan in Asia; Egypt and Sudan in Africa; Greece in Europe; Venezuela, Argentina, and Colombia in South America; Nicaragua and El Salvador in Central America; and Mexico and the US in North America. This chapter describes different diseases affecting the sesame crop. Phytophthora blight of sesame was first reported from India by E. J. Butler. Widespread occurrence of the disease has now been reported from Argentina, Dominican Republic, Egypt, India, Iran, and Venezuela. Seed-borne infection can be controlled by treating the seed with thiram.
