Manavgat Golden Sesame : Description and Distinguishing Features of Manavgat Golden Sesame Manavgat Golden Sesame belongs to the Pedaliaceae family and is a single-year plant of the Sesamum genus, specifically the S. Indicum species, which is dicotyledonous and vertically growing, rich in oil content. The Muganlı-57 variety is produced from sesame.Records from Manavgat land registers dating back to the 1450s, where taxes from tahini mills were collected, indicate that sesame production in Manavgat dates back even earlier than the 1450s. Sesame production holds a significant place among the agricultural activities of the people in Manavgat, a region known for producing tahini for the Ottoman Palace. Sesame is a heat-loving oil plant, so the regions where production occurs should have a monthly average temperature not falling below 20 °C, minimal day and night temperature differences, and soil temperatures between 15-20 °C or higher during seed germination. It thrives best in sandy-loamy alluvial soils.The agricultural activities in the Manavgat region, particularly in the Manavgat River Basin and Karpuz Çay Basin, contribute to the distinctive features of Manavgat Golden Sesame. The alluvial soils of Manavgat are rich in organic matter, have a clayey-loamy structure, neutral or slightly alkaline pH, and are sufficiently rich in mineral substances. The specific conditions for suitable growth of Manavgat Golden Sesame include an average temperature of 20.2-24.6 °C during the cultivation period from May to September, minimal day and night temperature differences, and soil temperatures of 25 °C and above at depths of 5, 10, and 20 cm. The low diurnal temperature variation, especially, plays a role in the high oil content formation.The total oil content, a key quality indicator in sesame, ranges from 50-62% in Manavgat Golden Sesame. Beyond its high oil content, Manavgat Golden Sesame is internationally recognized for its size, color, and aroma. : Production Method Sowing: The soil is plowed in the fall and winter months. Double plowing is done when the soil is in a proper condition in spring. The second sowing takes place after the harvest of wheat and barley. Adjusting the amount of sesame seeds to be sown per hectare is crucial due to the small and light nature of sesame seeds. For broadcast seeding, 800-1000 g per hectare is sufficient, while for row seeding with a seeder, 400-600 g of seeds are needed. It is important not to enter the field until the plants reach a height of 10-15 cm, as growth accelerates with flowering. Subsequently, depending on the weed situation in the field, manual hoeing or, if sown with a seeder, a tractor inter-row cultivator is used, and densely populated areas are thinned. The first flowering period lasts around 45-50 days. Plant growth begins with the onset of flowering. Irrigation: Irrigation is not necessary as the soil condition is sufficient for cultivation.Fertilization: Before sowing, preferably, a balanced (base) fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is applied.Weed Control: Weed control is carried out during the double plowing process in spring. The soil is plowed to a depth of 8-10 cm, preventing water loss and facilitating weed control. Harvest and Threshing: Yellowing of the leaves and capsules, partial shedding of the leaves, cessation of flowering, and the change in seed colors to dark yellow in white seeds and light brown in brown seeds indicate that the plant is ready for harvesting. Harvesting is done manually, and the plants are bundled together, with 10-25 plants tied in a flat and clean area, with the root parts facing outward and the top parts inward in a sunny environment. The bundling period lasts for 3 to 5 days. The bundles, when removed from compression, are placed on a flat surface, with 8-10 bundles together, and tied with string or grass from the top. This process continues until the sesame capsules are dry and open, allowing the seeds to easily pour out (lasting 7-15 days depending on weather conditions). Subsequently, the obtained seeds are cleaned and bagged using harvest machines with the help of a fan.