Organic Seed Production Technique with Different Date of Sowing in Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the D’ block of the Seed Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during the rabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23. This study focused on "Organic seed production techniques with different date of sowing in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Pooled data indicated that irrespective of soil application of organic manures and foliar spray of liquid bio-fertilizer application, the effect of dates of sowing was found significant for the seed yield and its components. Crop sown on November 1st fortnight (D2) recorded a significantly higher number of capsules per plant (18.14), number of seeds per capsule (90.45), seed yield per plant (3.06 g), thousand seed weight (2.90 g) and seed yield per hectare (849.43 kg) which was superior over October 1st fortnight (D1) (15.33, 86.93, 2.34g, 2.35g and 768.17kg, respectively).Soil application of 125% N equivalent through vermicompost + foliar application of cow urine spray @ 10% at flowering and 15 days after flowering (N4) recorded significantly more number of capsules per plant (22.42), number of seeds per capsule (101.00), seed yield per plant (3.59 g), thousand seed weight (3.32 g) and seed yield per hectare (880.08 kg)superior over (50% N equivalent through FYM + 50% N equivalent through vermicompost)+ Foliar application of cow urine spray @ 10% at flowering and 15 days after flowering (N6) (13.33,78.50, 2.01, 2.22and 757.67kg, respectively). The results highlighted the profound impact of organic manures and biofertilizers on improving black cumin seed production and quality.