International J.

Seed Spices 2(2), July 2012:5-8

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth, yield and quality of

black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)
Swetal Rana, P.P.Singh, I.S.Naruka and S.S.Rathore*
Department of Plantation & Spices Crops,
College of Horticulture, Mandsaur-458001 (M.P.) India

ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2010-11 to find out the effect of nitrogen and phospho-
rus on growth, yield and quality of black cumin. Among the varieties, AN-1 recorded maximum value for
number of capsules per plant (30.30), number of seeds per capsules (60.33), test weight (1.46 g), seed yield (4.88
q/ha), straw yield (12.48 q/ha), harvest index (27.89 %) and biological yield (17.36 q/ha) as compared to local
cultivar of nigella. Maximum plant height at harvest (45.95 cm), number of branches per plant at harvest (17.30),
fresh weight per plant at 60 DAS (13.08 g) and dry weight of shoot per plant at 60 DAS (3.21 g) were recorded
with the application of fertilizer 60: 120 kg ha-1 N, P followed by 45: 90 kg ha-1 N, P and lowest in control at all
the growth stages. Therefore, the application of 60 kg ha-1 N and 120 kg ha-1 P fertilizer with the variety AN-1
gave the maximum growth, yield and quality of nigella with the highest net return per hectare.
Key words : Nigella (Nigella sativa), Nitrogen, Phosphorus, yield, quality

INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHOD

Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) is a minor and annual The field experiment was conducted during the
herbaceous seed spice crop belonging to the family rabi season of 2010-2011 at the “Bahadari farm”, College
Ranunculaceae. It is widely cultivated throughout South of Horticulture, RVSKVV, Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh).
Europe, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, India Mandsaur is situated in Malwa plateau in Western part of
and Turkey (Riaz et. al.10). In India, it is commercially Madhya Pradesh at latitude of 23.450N to 24.130N and
cultivated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, 74.440E to 75.180E longitudes and an altitude of 435.02
Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh meters above mean sea level. This region falls under Agro
(Vijay and Malhotra, 16). In India nigella seeds used as climatic zone no.10 of the state. Ten treatment
combinations comprising five doses each of nitrogen and
preservative in all sorts of homemade pickles. The oil of
phosphorus along with two varieties were taken in
nigella seed has also demand in the pharmaceutical and
randomized block design with factorial approaches. The
perfumery industry. The main alkaloids present in nigella
observations on growth and yield parameters were taken
seeds are nigellmin, nigellidin, nigellicine and possess
on plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry
anticarcinogenic properties. In M.P., it is mostly cultivated weight of shoot (g), number of capsules/plant, number of
in Mandsaur, Neemuch and Sajapur districts. Availability seeds/capsule, days taken to 50% flowering, test weight
of nitrogen is of prime importance for growing plants as it (g), seed yield (q ha-1), straw yield (q ha-1), biological yield
is a major and indispensable constituent of protein and (q ha-1) and harvest index (%). The quality parameters
nucleic acid molecules (Troug, 15). An adequate supply were analyzed viz., N, P and K content (%) of seed, protein
of nitrogen is associated with vigorous vegetative growth content (%) of seed and Volatile oil content of seed. The
and more efficient use of available inputs finally lead to nitrogen content was estimated by micro kjeldhal method
higher productivity. Application of phosphorus was found (Black, 3), phosphorus was estimated as the method
to increase plant height, number of branches, fresh and developed by Jackson, (6), potassium content was
dry weight and essential oil content of black cumin determined by flame photo metrically (Chapman and Pratt,
(Sushama and Jose, 13). Therefore, the present study 5) and volatile oil content was determinate by using
was undertaken to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus essential oil distillation assembly. The experimental data
and suitability of different cultivars on growth yield and recorded were subjected to statistical analysis using
quality of nigella. analysis of variance technique suggested by Pansey and
Sukhatme (8).

*Corresponding author: Email: [email protected]

 International Journal of Seed Spices, July 2012

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION system, increased chlorophyll content, photosynthesis

Effect of cultivars activity and protein content in crop plants. These findings
are also supported by Rai et al. (9) and Bommi et al. (4).
The data presented in Table 1 showed that
significantly higher plant height at 30, 60 DAS and at A perusal of data in Table 2 indicated that higher
harvest (44.49 cm), number of branches per plant at 30, level of fertilizer was significantly superior to other
60 DAS and at harvest (16.71), fresh weight of shoot (g) treatment with respect to quality attributes viz., N, P, K,
per plant at 30 and 60 DAS (13.01g) and dry weight of protein content and volatile oil content in seeds of nigella.
shoot (g) per plant at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest (9.69g) Maximum value for N (3.71 %), P (0.037 %) and K (0.25
was recorded more with AN-1 cultivar at all the three %), protein (23.18 %) and Volatile oil (0.93 %)content in
growth stages as compared to local cultivar of nigella. seed were found more with F5 (60: 120 kg ha-1 N, P) level
of fertilizer application, followed by F4 (45: 90 kg ha-1 N,
Both the varieties were significantly differ with
P) and the lowest in F1 (0: 0 kg ha-1 N, P). Similar findings
respect number of capsules per plant, number of seeds
were also reported by Ashraf et al. (1), and Sultan et al.
per capsules, test weight , seed yield, straw yield, harvest
(12) in nigella crop.
index, biological yield (Table-1). Variety AN-1 recorded
maximum value for number of capsules per plant (30.30), Interaction effect of cultivars and fertilizer levels
number of seeds per capsules (60.33), test weight (1.46 Table 1 reveals that combined effect of varieties
g), seed yield (4.88 q/ha), straw yield (12.48 q/ha), harvest and fertilizer levels exerted significant influence on growth
index (27.89 %) and biological yield (17.36 q/ha) as parameters of nigella. The Maximum plant height (46.71
compared to local cultivar of nigella. Higher photosynthetic cm), number of branches per plant (17.61), fresh weight
area, more dry matter accumulation might have resulted (13.11 g) and dry weight (10.57 g) of shoot per plant were
in highest yields parameters and yield in variety AN-1. recorded in cultivar AN-1 fertilized with F5 (60: 120 kg.ha-
1
Similar findings were also reported by Ashraf et al. (2) N, P) level of fertilizer. Similar findings were also reported
and Tank et al, (14) in nigella crop. N, P, K and content in by Shah, (11) in nigella.
AN 1 was more than local cultivars (Table-2). Combined effect of varieties and fertilizer levels
Effect of fertilizers showed significant influence on yield and yield attributes
Data presented in Table 1 revealed that the of nigella (Table 1). Maximum number of capsules per
application of fertilizer levels exerted significant influence plant (32.25), number of seeds per capsules (65.00), test
on growth parameters. Maximum plant height at harvest weight (1.54 g), seed yield (6.20 q.ha-1), straw yield (13.47
(45.95 cm), number of branches per plant at harvest q.ha-1), biological yield (19.67 q.ha-1) and harvest index
(17.30), fresh weight per plant at 60 DAS (13.08 g) and (31.48 %), were found in variety AN-1 fertilized with F5
dry weight of shoot per plant at 60 DAS (3.21 g) were (60: 120 kg.ha-1 N, P) level of fertilizer. These findings are
recorded under application of fertilizer level in F5 (60: 120 also supported by Shah, (11) and Mollafilabi et al. (7) in
kg/ha N, P) followed by F4 (45: 90 kg/ha N, P) and lowest nigella crop. Combined effect of varieties and fertilizer
in control i.e. F1 (0: 0 kg/ha N, P) at all the growth stages. levels exhibited significant influence on quality attributes
Higher levels of nitrogen fertilization may be attributed to of nigella. Maximum value for N content (3.91 %), P
better nutritional environment in the root zone as well as content (0.039 %), Protein content (24.44 %) and Volatile
in the plant system. The biological role of nitrogen as an oil content (0.96 %) in seed was found in variety AN-1
essential constituent of chlorophyll in harvesting solar fertilized with F5 (60: 120 kg ha-1 N, P) level of fertilizer
energy, phosphorylated compounds in energy application. However non-significant influence on K content
transformations, nucleic acids in the transfer of genetic (%) of seed was observed. These findings were also
information and the regulation of cellular metabolism and supported by Ashraf et al. (1) and Sultan et al. (12). In
of protein as structural units and biological catalysts is case of N, P, K, protein and volatile the interaction effect
well known. of varieties and fertilizer level found non significant, so
results are not presented.
The data in the Table 1 revealed that increase in
levels of fertilizers increases the yield and yield attributes Benefit:cost ratio of different treatment
of nigella significantly. The maximum value for number of combinations presented in Table 3 clearly reveals that
capsules per plant (31.58), number of seeds per capsules V1F5 resulted in maximum net profit of Rs. 68367 ha-1 with
(63.40), test weight (1.51 g), seed yield (5.90 q ha-1), straw a B: C ratio of 4.89:1 which was followed by V1F4 treatment
yield (13.12 q ha-1), harvest index (31.00 %) and biological combination result in net profit of Rs. 59860 with a B: C
yield (19.02 q ha-1) were observed with the F5 (60: 120 kg/ ratio of 4.71:1.
ha N, P) level of fertilizer, followed by F4 (45: 90 kg/ha N, Thus, it can be concluded that higher doses of N
P) and lowest in control. Increased yield may be due to and P have more yield and quality of AN 1 as well as
role of fertilizer in improving uptake of nutrient by root highest return per hactare.

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 International Journal of Seed Spices, July 2012

Table 1. Effect of N and P levels on growth and yield of nigella varities

Treatment Plant height No. of Fresh wt Dry wt. No. of No. of Test Seed Straw Biologi Harvest
at harvest branches at 60 at capsule seeds/c wt(g) yield yield cal index
(cm) at days harvest /Plant apsule (q/ha.) (q/ha.) yield
harvest (q/ha.)
Varieties
V 1 (NRCSS AN-1) 44.49 16.71 13.01 9.69 30.30 60.33 1.46 4.88 12.48 17.36 27.89
V 2 (Local kalonji) 43.61 16.36 12.93 9.32 29.53 58.47 1.41 4.39 12.05 16.44 26.32
S.Em± 0.129 0.051 0.016 0.052 0.115 0.277 0.012 0.05 0.067 0.11 0.15
CD at 5% 0.383 0.152 0.048 0.153 0.341 0.823 0.035 0.16 0.20 0.34 0.45
Fertilizer level (F)
F 1 (0: 0 kg/ha N,P) 41.27 15.42 12.77 8.37 27.48 53.52 1.29 3.21 11.03 14.24 22.42
F 2 (15: 30 kg/ha N,P) 42.76 16.02 12.93 8.98 28.78 56.65 1.40 4.11 11.72 15.83 25.99
F 3 (30: 60 kg/ha N,P) 44.84 16.85 13.03 9.83 30.61 61.06 1.47 4.70 12.60 17.30 27.18
F 4 (45: 90 kg/ha N,P) 45.45 17.09 13.06 10.07 31.15 62.35 1.49 5.25 12.87 18.12 28.95
F 5 (60: 120 kg/ha N,P) 45.95 17.30 13.08 10.27 31.58 63.40 1.51 5.90 13.12 19.02 31.00
S.Em± 0.204 0.081 0.026 0.082 0.182 0.438 0.019 0.08 0.10 0.18 0.24
CD at 5% 0.605 0.240 0.077 0.243 0.540 1.302 0.056 0.26 0.31 0.54 0.71
Interaction of Varieties (V) and Fertilizer levels (F)
T 1 (V1 F1 ) 42.12 15.76 12.90 8.73 28.21 55.29 1.38 3.69 11.48 15.17 24.34
T 2 (V 1F 2) 42.90 16.07 12.93 9.03 28.90 56.95 1.40 4.20 11.76 15.95 26.32
T 3 (V1 F3 ) 44.88 16.87 13.03 9.87 30.65 61.15 1.47 4.88 12.61 17.49 27.89
T 4 (V 1F 4) 45.86 17.26 13.08 10.23 31.51 63.24 1.51 5.44 13.07 18.51 29.41
T 5 (V 1F 5) 46.71 17.61 13.11 10.57 32.25 65.00 1.54 6.20 13.47 19.67 31.48
T 6 (V 2F 1) 40.42 15.09 12.65 8.00 26.75 51.75 1.20 2.73 10.57 13.30 20.50
T 7 (V 2F 2) 42.61 15.96 12.92 8.93 28.65 56.35 1.39 4.03 11.67 15.70 25.66
T 8 (V2 F3 ) 44.80 16.83 13.02 9.80 30.57 60.98 1.47 4.53 12.58 17.10 26.46
T 9 (V 2F 4) 45.03 16.93 13.03 9.90 30.78 61.47 1.48 5.05 12.68 17.73 28.48
T 10 (V2 F5 ) 45.19 16.99 13.04 9.97 30.92 61.81 1.48 5.61 12.77 18.37 30.51
S.Em± 0.288 0.114 0.036 0.115 0.257 0.620 0.027 0.12 0.15 0.25 0.34
CD at 5% 0.857 0.339 0.108 0.343 0.763 1.841 0.079 0.36 0.44 0.76 1.00

Table 2. Effect of N and P levels on qulity of nigella varities

N (%) content in P (%) content K (%) content Oil (%) Protein (%)
Treatment seed in seed in seed content in seed content in seed
Varieties
V1 (NRCSS AN-1) 3.32 0.033 0.177 0.87 20.77
V2 (Local Kalonji) 3.09 0.031 0.165 0.83 19.31
S.Em± 0.034 0.0003 0.0021 0.004 0.21
CD at 5% 0.102 0.0010 0.0061 0.013 0.63
Fertilizer level (F)
F1 (0: 0 kg/ha N,P) 2.47 0.025 0.13 0.74 15.42
F2 (15: 30 kg/ha N,P) 2.86 0.029 0.14 0.80 17.89
F3 (30: 60 kg/ha N,P) 3.42 0.034 0.15 0.88 21.36
F4 (45: 90 kg/ha N,P) 3.58 0.036 0.19 0.91 22.37
F5 (60: 120 kg/ha N,P) 3.71 0.037 0.25 0.93 23.18
S.Em± 0.054 0.00054 0.0032 0.007 0.33
CD at 5% 0.162 0.0016 0.0096 0.021 1.00

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 International Journal of Seed Spices, July 2012

Table 3. Benefit-cost ratio of different treatment combinations in Nigella

Treatment Common Expenditure on Cost of Gross Net profit Cost : Benefit

Expenditure fertilizer and cultivation return/ha (Rs/ha) ratio
(Rs/ha) variety (Rs/ha) (Rs/ha) (Rs.)
V1F 1 10740 1040 11780 52605 40825 4.47
V1F 2 10740 2490 13230 59259 46029 4.48
V1F 3 10740 3940 14680 68442 53762 4.66
V1F 4 10740 5390 16130 75990 59860 4.71
V1F 5 10740 6839 17579 85946 68367 4.89
V2F1 10740 880 11620 34221 22601 2.95
V2F 2 10740 2330 13070 48999 35929 3.75
V2F 3 10740 3780 14520 54824 40304 3.78
V2F 4 10740 5230 15970 60622 44652 3.80
V2F 5 10740 6679 17419 66780 49361 3.83
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Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth
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