The Role of Climatic Factors in Biodiesel Production of Sesame

Abstract

Agricultural products are strongly affected by variations in climatic conditions. The cultivation of oilseed crops is expanding under different climatic zones. Vegetable oils are also important sources of biofuel. It is renewable and does not contribute to raising the net level of CO2 in the atmosphere. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the impact of climatic factors on seed oil content and oil quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotype TS-3 with the perspectives of biodiesel production. The seed samples were collected from field grown plants in three regions of Pakistan differing in temperature and moisture regimes viz. district Bannu, district Kohat (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa), and district Attock (Punjab), respectively. The mean day and night temperatures and average rainfall varied in the three regions during vegetative and reproductive phases of sesame. The average day temperature was higher in Attock. Minimum day temperature during the reproductive phase was observed in Kohat, while minimum night temperature during grain filling and maturation was recorded in Attock. Maximum seed oil content was exhibited by seed samples collected from Kohat exhibiting 3 and 4°C lower day temperature than Attock and Bannu, respectively, during the reproductive stage. Significantly higher oil specific gravity was detected in seed samples collected from Bannu. The lower acid value was recorded for seed samples of Kohat. A significantly higher iodine number was found in the oil of seed samples collected from Attock. The palmitic acid (C16:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content did not vary significantly in seed samples of the three regions. Maximum oleic acid (C18:1) content was exhibited by seed samples collected from Kohat. Significantly higher biodiesel yield was obtained from the oil of seed samples collected from Kohat and Bannu, respectively. It can be inferred that climatic conditions significantly affect the oil yield and quality of sesame and that agroclimatic conditions of Kohat and Bannu are suitable for cultivation of sesame for biodiesel production.