SIALKOT: Farmers cultivating sesame should immediately remove weak plants from their fields to ensure healthy crop growth and improve overall yield, Assistant Director Agriculture Sambrial Dr. Iftikhar Hussain Bhatti said on Wednesday.
He advised growers to regularly inspect their sesame fields and begin thinning the crop once plants develop six to eight leaves. Weak and unhealthy plants should be removed promptly to prevent them from affecting the growth of stronger plants.
Dr. Bhatti said farmers should maintain a plant-to-plant spacing of 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) to ensure proper crop development and facilitate irrigation and intercultural operations.
He further recommended maintaining a plant population of around 60,000 plants per acre, which would help achieve better crop management and higher productivity.
The agriculture official also urged farmers to apply fertilizers in a balanced and timely manner to support healthy plant growth and maximize sesame production.