Evaluation of grain yield and quality of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in intercropping with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Organic production ensures the safety and security of medicinal plants products and drugs. To evaluate grain yield and quality of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in intercropping with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under organic farming condition, a field experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications on a filed located in Naghedeh,West Azerbaijan province, Iran, in 2012-2013. The planting ratios were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 (chickpea: black cumin) using replacement method. Results showed that different planting ratios had significant effect on studied traits in chickpea (except plant height and number of grain.pod-1) and black cumin (except essential oil content). In chickpea, the highest pod.plant-1, 1000 grain weight, biological and grain yield were obtained in sole cropping, however, the highest protein content (24.8%) was achieved in planting ratio of 25:75 (chickpea: black cumin). Results showed that in black cumin the highest follicule.plant-1, grain.follicule-1, biological yield, grain yield and essential oil yield were obtained in sole cropping, however, the tallest plant height and the most heavy1000 grain weight were obtained in planting ratio of 75:25 (chickpea: black cumin). There was no significant difference between treatments in essential oil content. The highest LER values (1.45) were obtained in planting ratio of 25:75 (chickpea: black cumin). This means that grain yield in intercropping improved by 45% as compared with sole cropping. According to the grain yield and LER, it seems that 75% black cumin + 25% chickpea was suitable for increasing the income of farmers and land use efficiency.