Why Does My Sesame Plant Look Unhealthy?

Does the plant wilts, leaves turning brown or pale yellow?

Are the older leaves turning yellow and wilting, an overall decline in plant vigor is apparent?

Are there any small translucent spots on leaves, spots later turn black?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Are the seedlings clipped off at the soil line?

Is the plant weakened, and the leaves are turning yellow?

Have the leaves been devoured?

Are there large or small holes in leaves, damage may be extensive?

Does the foliage have singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes?

These symptoms are most likely caused by Fusarium wilt. There is no cure for Fusarium wilt, so the infected plants should be destroyed. Do not plant chickpeas or any susceptible plants to Fusarium wilt in the same spot for several years.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Verticillium wilt. Verticillium infects a wide range of plant species. Destroy all infected plants, as there is no cure. Prevent problems by presoaking seed in a 10 percent bleach solution.

Bacterial leaf spot causes circular translucent spots scattered over the leaf surface between the veins. These spots turn brownish-black and may spread to form large patches of dead tissue. To prevent the spread of this disease, avoid working around wet plants. Remove and destroy affected parts. Spray Bordeaux mix on remaining plants.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot. Several pathogens can be the cause of root rots. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants.

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted, and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Cutworms feed at night by cutting off young plants and sometimes eating them whole. During the day, they are hidden below the soil surface. Control them by introducing parasitic nematodes to the ground. Using BTK spray on the ground will also control their numbers.

Weakened plants and yellow foliage indicate whiteflies. These tiny, mothlike flies and their larvae feed by sucking plant juices. Whiteflies secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that makes leaves sticky to the touch. Control whiteflies by eliminating garden weeds and by introducing green lacewings in the garden. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.

Some types of grasshoppers can become a problem for sesame plants. These hungry little pests will devour the leaves of your plant. To combat these, use a Bacillus thurigiensis (BT) spray or powder.

Cabbage looper is a pale green caterpillar with white lines running down either side of their body. Looper populations are usually held in check by natural enemies, but if they do become problematic larvae can be hand-picked from the plants. The application of BTK will effectively kill younger larvae.

Beet armyworms cause this type of damage to the leaves. Handpick or spray actively feeding caterpillars with BTK in the evening.

If there are tiny holes in leaves they are caused by Flea beetles. These tiny, black, brown, or bronze beetles hop when disturbed. Larvae are small and white, feed mostly on the undersides of leaves. Prevent problems by covering young plants with row cover. Control severe infestations by spraying or dusting plants with pyrethrin.