Evaluation of yield and quality traits of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) affected by ‎fertilizer and irrigation ‎

To investigate the effects of irrigation cutting and different fertilizer on yield and qualitative traits of black cumim an experiment was conducted as split plot layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at University of Zabol Research Farm during 2016. Main plot included four levels of irrigation cutting; conventional irrigation, irrigation cutting in between stem elongation to flowering, irrigation cutting in between flowering to beginning of seed filling period and irrigation cutting in between beginning to end of seed filling period. Subplot was different type of phosphorous fertilizer including control (no fertilizer application), Azoto-e-Barvar 1, Phosphate-e-Barvar 2 and triple super phosphate. Interaction effect of irrigation cutting and fertilizer on yield and yield components, leaf chlorophyll content, carotenoids content, essential oil percentage and yield was significant. The highest yield and yield components, photosynthetic pigments and essential oil yield were achieved in normal irrigation along with application of Azoto-e-Barvar1 and the greatest essential oil percentage were observed in irrigation cutting in between beginning to end of seed filling period along with application of Azoto -e-Barvar 1. Seed yield affected by irrigation cutting in seed filling period and without application fertilizer was 46.76 % less than seed yield in conventional irrigation along with application of Azoto-e-Barvar 1. In conclusion, to improve the characteristics of black seed, except for essential oil content, the application of bio-fertilizers along with conventional irrigation would be appropriate.