Characterizations of Yields and Seed Components of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as Affected by Soil Moisture from Paddy Field Cultivation

Accurate and optimal water supply to cereal crop is critical in growing stalks and producing maximum yields. Recently, upland crops are cultivated in paddy field soils to reduce overproduced rice in Korea. In order to increase productivity of cereal crops in paddy fields which have poor percolation and drainage properties, it is necessary to fully understand crop response to excessive soil water condition and management of soil drainage system in paddy field. The objectives of this study were to investigate effects of excessive soil water to sesame growth and to quantify stress response using groundwater levels. Two cultivars of sesame were selected to investigate; Gunbak and Areum. These sesames were planted in paddy fields located in Miryang, Gyeongnam with different soil drainage levels and drainage systems. The experiment site was divided into two plots by drainage class; very poorly and somewhat poorly drained. Two different drainage systems were applied to alleviate excessive soil water in each plot: open ditch and pipe drainage system. Soil water contents and groundwater levels were measured every hour during growing season. Pipe drainage system was significantly effective to alleviate wet injury for sesame in paddy fields. Pipe drainage system decreased average soil moisture content and groundwater level during sesame cultivation. This resulted in greater yield and lignan contetns in sesame seeds than ones from open ditch system. Comparison between two cultivars, Gunbak had greater decrease in growth and yield by excessive soil water and high groundwater level than Areum. Seed components (lignan) showed decrease in seeds as soil water increased. When soil moisture content was greater than 40%, lignan content tended to decrease than ones from less soil moisture content. Based on these results, pipe drainage system would be more effective to reduce wet injury to sesame and increase lignan component in paddy field cultivation.