The experiment was conducted from 2009–2011 cropping seasons. Six mung bean genotypes viz. SML-668, Black bean, Bored, Local Gofa, SML-32 and Local 2-Sheraro were evaluated to early maturing and high yielding genotypes and the design was RCBD with three replications. The combined analysis of variance reviled that there was highly significant variation (p < 0.01) of grain yield among the genotypes, environments and genotype by environment interaction. The genotypic, environmental and the genotype x environment interaction (GIE) accounted about 30.47%, 45.01% and 11.59% of the total variation. The average grain yield of the genotypes was 2008.17 kg/ha. The highest and the lowest mean yield was obtained from SML-668 (2536.47 kg/ha) and SML-32 (1773.59 kg/ha) respectively. The AMMI bi-plot also depicted that, SML-668 and SML-32 were the high yielding and low yielding genotype, respectively. Similar to the AMMI bi-plot, the GGE bi-plot also confirmed that SML-668 was the winning genotype in most of the environments; whereas, SML-32 and local 2-sheraro, were the low yielding genotypes in some or all of the environments. E1, E2 and E6 are discriminating environments and declared as the most representative than E3, E4 and E5. Generally, SML-668 was the ideal genotype with higher mean yield and relatively good stability; Local-2 Sheraro was the moderately good yielding genotype and the most unstable genotype; Whereas, SML-32 was the poorly yielding and unstable genotype.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is grown mainly in the tropics. It is typically grown by smallholders with nearly all of its production in developing countries. It is an important source of high-quality oil and protein. Inappropriate use of fertilizers and monocropping are among the major production constraints. The objective of this paper is therefore to review the effect of N fertilizers on sesame growth and productivity. Growth and yield of sesame are greatly influenced by the application of N fertilizer. In most of the sesame-producing countries, optimum seed yield of sesame was obtained from application of 46–100 kg·N/ha. Adequate nitrogen fertilization also improves uptakes of other nutrients, particularly P and K and some micronutrients. Preemergence application of mobile nitrogen (urea) is less efficient due to losses. Mobile form of N fertilizer became available within two days for the crop. Split N applications where the N fertilizer is applied at different growth stages of the crop increases productivity. Side-dress application is one of the easiest ways to maximize nitrogen use efficiency. N fertilizers should be placed 3–5 cm deeper than the seeds and 5–10 cm apart from the plant for side dress but not far than 20 cm. Under optimal environmental conditions, nitrogen fertilizer has no effect on phonological traits but on the growth parameters. In the potential areas, application of 46–100 kg·N/ha gives maximum yield and lowering the application of N to less than 46 kg·N/ha in marginal areas is economical.

Sesame(Sesamum indicum)is one of the most important cash crops grown extensively for its seeds in Ethiopia. Production of sesame in the country is very crucial in many aspects, but the invasion of the cotton mealybug,Phenacoccus solenopsisTinsley, is becoming a big deal in its production. A survey for mealybug infestation was conducted during 2016 production season in 15 localities of “Kafta Humera” district so as to assess the incidence and severity of the pest. In each locality 2 sesame farms have been selected and 6 samples per farm (2 samples from the road sides, 2 from camp surrounding, and 2 from the central part of the farms) have been checked. During the survey, “Bowal” and “Sherif Hamad” have scored the higher incidence and severity of mealybugs. Road sides and camp surrounding of the farms were shown to have severe infestation. Stony and oxen plowed farms were also intensively invaded with cotton mealybugs. The pest has different natural means to infest new areas; thus its control measure has to be developing timely.

Sesame is one of the world’s oldest oil seed crops grown mainly for its seeds. Lengthened storage time, inappropriate staking, back warded threshing method and poor storage facilities are major causes for postharvest and quality losses of sesame seed. Therefore, the objective was to review the effect of storage time and storage conditions on sesame seed quality and longevity. Seed quality and longevity are mostly governed by moisture content, temperature, humidity, storage period, pre-storage conditions, and pest infestations. Moisture content is a pre-requisite for long-term seed storage, and is the most important factor affecting seed longevity. Sesame seeds remain consistent and viable up to 12 months under appropriate storage facilities and conditions, otherwise it get lessened its viability. The crop should be harvested at the appropriate time and seeds should be stored at 6% or lower moisture content. In the tropics where temperature is as high as 33 °C and relative humidity of about 80%, seeds deteriorate rapidly. Varietal mixtures and harvest conditions affect longevity of seeds in storage. Pests such as, Mites, Indian mealy moth, Weevils, Flour beetles, are serious problems in stored sesame seeds. Under low seed moisture content and temperature, insects may not be a problem. Oil seeds require high-quality constructions to prevent leakages and to allow easy access to the bin for sampling and monitoring. Therefore, sesame seeds should be stored in well-constructed room/ware house to maintain seed viability and longevity.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most important crops in Ethiopia for international market, while its production is challenged by insect infestations and inappropriate agronomic practices. Sesame webworm (Antigastra catalaunalis) is the major pest, which causes heavy losses in Humera areas, Northern Ethiopia. This study aims to determine optimum sowing time and insecticide application frequency for controlling A. catalaunalis. The results showed that the early sowing gave minimum infestation of sesame webworm and better sesame grain yield. The integration of early sowing and weekly spray (T16) resulted in low incidence (8.8%) and higher grain yield (651 kg/ha), where the combination of late sowing and untreated (control) plot (T3) gave higher incidence (100%) and lower grain yield (69.1 kg/ha). The maximum level of leaf, flower and capsule damage was scored on the late sowing and untreated plot, while the lowest was in the early sowing and weekly sprayed plot. Planting sesame early on the onset of rainfall followed with two application of insecticide at 2 and 4 weeks after emergence was found economical and optimum management option for controlling A. catalaunalis.

Intercropping contributes a significant role in sustainable agricultural system as it improves soil conservation, productivity and stability of yield and makes better use of production elements. However, the economic advantages and dis advantages of sesame and legume intercropping is not quantified. Field experiment, consisted of seven treatments, conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons using randomized complete block design with three replications. Land equivalent ratio, Competitive Ratio (CR), Relative crowding coefficient (K), Aggressivity (A), Sesame equivalent yield, Legume equivalent yield (LEY), Monetary Advantage Index, Area Time Equivalent Ratio (ATER), Land Saved and correlation of the indexes were competed. The highest total LER (0.63) recorded from sesame intercropped with half as well as full seed rate of mungbean. Sesame intercropped with half seed rate of mungbean showed lower CR (1.57) and the total K of the system was greater than a unity in three of the treatments except in sesame + half seed rate of soybean with total K of 0.81. Sesame intercropped with half seed rate of soybean was dominant with aggressivity (0.13) while it was dominated in both of the other treatments with negative aggressivity. The highest MAI (1181.15 and 1239.1) was gained from sesame intercropped with mungbean at full and half seed rates respectively and the ATER value of sesame + half seed rate of soybean was greater than a unity while sesame + half seed rate of soybean scored lower than unity (0.94). Grain yield showed a positively strong correlation with LEY, SEY, and Ktot while it showed a negative correlation with CRs and As. Based on the PCA biplot the intercropping indexes grouped in to three clusters (I-III): cluster I, II and III consisted of 3, 1 and 9 intercropping indexes respectively. LS, LER and MAI are the best indexes to compute the economic profitability of a mixed cropping. Generally, based on the LS, LER and MAI sesame-legume intercropping practice is economically profitable.