- Author T, Trotter,. Bhattarai,S., & Thomson, M.
- Publish date 4 August 2020
- Type Report
- Documents
- Broadacre cropping
Summary
This technical report details the top-performing black sesame varieties in a range of Northern Australian conditions.
Research lead CQUniversity assessed the performance of a series of black sesame varieties from AgriVentis Technologies at six different locations across Northern Australia, with yields ranging from 1.37 tonnes per hectare up to 3.04t/ha depending on variety and location.
The highest seed yield recorded in Biloela followed by Rockhampton, Katherine, Ayr, and Darwin. The lowest yield was recorded in Tully.
Projects
Spicing up Northern Australia with high-value condiment crops
The Spicing up northern Australia with high-value condiment crops project explored the potential for establishing a new high-value spice industry across northern Australia. Funded by CRCNA and delivered by CQUniversity Australia in partnership with AgriVentis Technologies Ltd, the project evaluated the agronomic performance, commercial viability and market opportunities for a range of spice and condiment crops suited to northern farming systems. Over three years, field trials were conducted across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, progressing promising crops through varietal evaluation, verification and commercial-scale production trials. The research identified black sesame, fennel and kalonji as the most suitable crops for northern Australian conditions, with black sesame demonstrating strong adaptability across multiple production regions and seasons. The project generated valuable production, market and supply chain knowledge, providing growers with evidence-based information on incorporating high-value spices into existing crop rotations. It also highlighted key barriers to commercial expansion, including mechanised production systems, pest and weed management, and post-harvest processing requirements. The findings laid the foundation for the follow-on Great Northern Spices program, supporting continued industry development, grower adoption and investment in new agricultural opportunities across northern Australia.