Effect of Sowing Date on Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Two Varieties of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Populations

Subject Areas : Journal of Crop Ecophysiology

A.  Vaseghi ¹ (MSc Student of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran)
A.  Ghanbari ² (Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran)
M.  Heydari ³ (Staff Member, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran)
S.  Davazdahemami ⁴ (Staff Member of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran)

Received: 2012-09-29 Accepted : 2014-02-19 Published : 2014-02-20

Keywords: yield, Medicinal Plants, quantitative characteristics, Sowing date, black cumin,

Abstract :

In order to investigate the effect of planting date on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of medicinal plant of black cumin was investigated in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications at Khomeini – shahr, in the province of Isfahan, Iran, during growing season of 2009-2010. In this study India and Isfahan populations were assigned to main plots and four sowing date (16 Nov, 16 Dec, 6 Mar and 4 Apr) to sub plots. The results indicated that planting date, populations and their interactions had significant effect on most of the traits measured. It was also observed that the two populations were significantly different in phenological, morphological and qualitative characteristics. Isfahan population due to its compatibility to the climate of Isfahan produced highest seed yield and oil percent than the Indian population at 6 Mar. planting date. Also, late planting date resulted in reduced values of most of the traits related to yield and yield components. It was also observed that highest dry matter, manganese, sodium, calcium and zinc contents were obtained from the Isfahan and highest content of ash, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iron from Indian populations. It may conclude that if it is aimed to have higher seed yield and oil percent it is better to plant Isfahan population at the second and third and Indian population at the third planting dates.