Investigation of yield and quality characteristics of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. at different sowing times in Eastern Anatolia conditions, Türkiye

The value of the black cumin plant is increasing daily due to its pharmacological properties. The most economically widespread species are Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. This study was conducted in 2022 to determine the yield and quality characteristics of Nigella sativa L. and Nigella damascena L. at different sowing times under the Eastern Anatolia conditions. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. In terms of examined traits, plant height was determined as 25.5 - 36.0 cm, number of branches per plant as 3.70 - 6.23, number of capsules per plant as 4.7 - 17.9, number of seeds per capsule as 27.67 - 77.73, 1000-grain weight as 1.72 - 2.97 g, seed yield as 584 - 1282 kg ha-1, oil ratio as 13.24 - 23.40 %, oil yield as 84.9 - 284.7 kg ha-1, essential oil ratio as 0.18 - 0.54 % and essential oil yield as 1.43 - 6.77 kg ha-1. Black cumin was superior to Damascus black cumin in terms of all examined botanical and agronomic traits The best sowing time for N. sativa was the first sowing (April 25), while for N. damascena it was the third sowing (May 25). Both species showed differences in seed and oil yields.