Summer spice technical report - Black sesame - Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

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.

Spicing up Northern Australia with high-value condiment crops

This project conducted field trials to test the suitability of selected spice crops under real-world farming conditions to develop agronomic advice to support grower adoption. Through the direct involvement of farmers, advisers and commercial seed companies, the project helped build the supply chain links necessary to establish a new and viable industry in northern Australia. Researchers assessed the market and supply chain opportunities, as well as the environmental and agronomic systems required for producers in northern Australia to adopt five high-value spice crops – cumin, caraway, black sesame, kalonji and fennel – as the foundation of a new industry to meet Australian demand and create export opportunities. Data gathered from glasshouse trials by Central Queensland University and AgriVentis Technologies provided proof of the suitability of these five spice crops, enabling the progression to field trials. Field trial data collected across six different agro-ecological zones allowed for detailed assessments of the crops’ potential for large-scale commercial production in northern Australia.