Comparison of seed oil and mineral content of Guizotia abyssinica Cass. with two genotypes of Iranian and Indian Nigella sativa L

Utilization of multipurpose plants in cultivation patterns can reduce production risks. Medicinal and oilseed plants such as Niger seed and black cumin are multipurpose plants. In order to evaluate the possibility of extensive cultivation of Niger seed as a new plant and comparison of its oil and minerals with two genotypes of black cumin seed, Iranian and Indian, A randomized complete block with three replications was conducted in Isfahan in 2011. Seeds of black cumin cultivated in autumn as an alternative for cereals and seed of Niger seed cultivated in summer after harvesting of cereals. Cultivation of all of three plants were successful. Seed yield of Niger seed was 880kg/ha. It was much more than world record. It's oil seed content (about 47%), and it's worth (in competition with sunflower) can be considered as valuable parameters. The differences of minerals in Niger seed and black seed genotypes were significant, especially in Fe. The Fe content of Niger seed was 1.2 ppm (2-3 times more than Indian and Iranian black cumin).