Key Technical Points for Spring Sesame Cultivation with Plastic Film Mulching

Plastic film mulching cultivation can bring sesame yields to over 150 kg per mu, and some can exceed 200 kg, so film mulching is an effective cultivation measure for achieving super-high sesame yields. The specific techniques are introduced as follows:

1. Seed selection and timely early sowing: After plastic film mulching, the effective growth period of sesame is extended. Therefore, mid-to-late maturing excellent sesame varieties with waterlogging tolerance, disease resistance, and high yield potential should be selected, such as Yuzhi No. 5, No. 7, No. 8, and sesame hybrids. Early sowing is suitable, with a sowing period from the end of April to early May, to fully utilize the growing season and increase sesame yield.

2. Land preparation, fertilization, and ridging: Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer application, and control nitrogen fertilizer dosage. When the yield per mu of sesame is above 200 kg, apply about 20 kg each of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In terms of fertilization methods, base fertilizer is the main approach, supplemented by topdressing at the flowering stage and foliar topdressing. Apply all phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and half of the total nitrogen amount as base fertilizer, and the remaining half of the nitrogen fertilizer as topdressing. Film-mulched sesame must be cultivated on ridges. Generally, a ridge is made every 80 cm, with a ridge surface width of 45 cm, a furrow width of 35 cm, and a ridge height of about 10 cm. Plant 2 rows per ridge, with an average row spacing of 40 cm.

3. Sowing and film mulching: Film-mulched sesame can be drilled. Generally, sowing can be done first and then the film covered. The film width is preferably 70 cm. To reduce production costs, linear low-density polyethylene thin film is generally used (when the film thickness is 0.008 mm, about 6.5 kg of film is needed per mu). Film mulching can be done mechanically or manually, but the ridge surface must be level, the film must be firmly attached to the soil surface, and the film must be sealed tightly. Any holes must be covered tightly with soil. In addition, before mulching after sowing, spray a pre-emergence soil treatment herbicide to prevent weeds.

4. Chemical regulation: Before sowing, soak seeds with 100 mg/kg-150 mg/kg (ppm) mepiquat chloride, or spray 150 mg/kg (ppm) mepiquat chloride at the seedling stage to promote rooting and control seedling growth.