Sesame
(Sesamum
indicum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in Pakistan.
It was originated from East Africa and South Asia about 5000 years ago. In theworld, it is cultivated on an area of 8.26 million hectares with the Productionof 3.31 million tons, whereas in Pakistan, total area under cultivation is 80
thousand hectares with an annual production of 32.4 thousand tons during
2015-16 (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics). It has high nutritional value as it
contains moisture 04.0-05.3, protein 18.3-25.4, oil 43.3-44.3, saturated fatty
acids 14.0, monounsaturated fatty acids 39.0, polyunsaturated fatty acids 46.0,
ash 05.2-06.2, glucose 03.2, fructose 02.6, sucrose 0.2 and phytosterols 0.4%.
Successful
production of sesame is facing numerous restrains of fungal, bacterial, viral
and phytoplasma diseases owing to highly virulent aggressive strains of
pathogens. Among these constrains, Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina
phaseolina (Tassi.). Gold is the most important one, which are a
destructive soil born, polyphagus and thermophilic fungal pathogen. M. phaseolina
is causing huge losses of about USD 146 million in Nigeria with 40-57% disease
incidence whereas in Pakistan 50-75% disease incidences have been observed.
However, increased growth and development rate of this pathogen results total
crop failures under favourable soil and environmental conditions.(Read more)
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