Sesame: Sustainable Production and Applications

This edited book systematically discusses the advances in biotechnology, agrotechnology, and food technology in shaping sesame production, cultivation and uses to meet the future needs.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is the oldest oilseed crop known to humans. It has been recognized as one of the most nutritious and health-supportive crops, with several applications in food, cosmetics, and health products. A wide variety of sesame is grown throughout the world, primarily in Asia and Africa. It’s seed and seed oil is being used widely in diverse cuisines. It is also used in cosmetic and health products. Advances in biotechnology, agrotechnology, and food technology in redefining sesame production and uses are of great importance. Various new advanced technologies have been employed to develop high yielding and disease resistant sesame varieties, for better cultivation, seed production, and for utilization of seeds and seed oil in a lot of foods, cosmetic, and health products. This book provides an overview of different advanced technologies, their mechanisms, and their effect on the quality of the sesame crop and sesame seeds/oil. The book also emphasizes the assessment of advanced technology on its limitations and advantages. This book offers the latest research on techniques, applications, and challenges of producing quality sesame crop with recommendations towards sustainable agriculture.

The book is a valuable resource for students, researchers and scientists working in the field of sesame production and applications. Industry experts involved in development and management of sustainable production technologies will also find the book beneficial.

Sapna Langyan is a Scientist at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in New Delhi, India, with over 14 years of experience in agricultural research. Her work focuses on the nutritional profiling of various crops, and she has co-developed 10 varieties of maize and Rajmash. Additionally, she has created four innovative protocols that are now used globally. Her research is driven by a mission to enhance global food and nutritional security and combat malnutrition. She has authored more than 60 publications, including research papers, book chapters, and conference proceedings in prominent national and international journals. She also serves as an editor for several prestigious journals of international repute and has edited notable books, including Maize: Nutrition Dynamics and Novel Uses and Linseed: A Multipurpose-Multisector Crop of Industrial Significance. Throughout her career, she has received numerous prestigious awards, fellowships, and grants from leading scientific bodies such as DST, DBT, CSIR, INSA, and the Government of India.

Pranjal Yadava is a researcher, teacher and author with over 13 years’ experience in the area of agricultural biotechnology research. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Scientist and Faculty in South Asia’s premier agricultural university-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He has been trained and employed in the United Nations system, private seed industry, government sector and other national-international organizations. Dr. Yadava has over 50 research publications, book chapters, conference proceedings etc to his credit. He is passionate about food and agriculture scenario in the developed and the developing world and actively tracks the changing policy and research landscape impacting food and farming. Dr. Yadava has been awarded numerous prestigious grants and fellowships for his research, including a recent Fulbright-Nehru fellowship. He holds a PhD degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru University and post-doctoral qualification from the Stanford University.

Rashmi Yadav is a Principal Scientist at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India. She is having about 20 years of teaching and research experience with specialization in crop nutrient management, characterization and evaluation of germplasm of different oilseed crops like rapeseed, mustard, linseed, sesame including underutilized crop species for their agronomic attributes, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and nutrient use efficiency. She has registered 08 genetic stocks with ICAR-NBPGR in Indian mustard and linseed crops for various biotic, abiotic and agronomic traits. She is handling several national and international projects funded by ICAR, DST, DBT, UNEP-GEF (Rome, Itay), Kirkhouse trust (London), SWISS AID, FIBL & AFSA (Switzerland) and having good international collaborations. She has published more than 90 research articles in high cited reputed journals, 20 book chapters, 8 technical bulletins, authored 3 books, popular articles 47 and about 70 papers presented in various national and international conferences. She has been awarded the young scientist award by several societies and is a Life Member of the Indian society of Agronomy, among others. She is fellow of ISSS and also serving as an editorial board member of reputed journals.

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a Principal Scientist specializing in Biochemistry at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. He holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India, and a master's and Ph.D. in biochemistry from the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi. With over 20 years of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, he has supervised five doctoral students and three master's students as the primary advisor and has served on the advisory committees of more than 50 students. Dr. Bhardwaj has published over 140 research papers in internationally recognized scientific journals and contributed more than 10 chapters to various edited books. He is a founding editorial board member of 2 reputed journals and has also reviewed numerous research articles for various journals.