YIELD AND QUALITY OF BLACK CUMIN (Nigella sativa L.) ACCORDING TO LEONARDITE AND NITROGEN DOSES

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the effect of different levels of leonardite and nitrogen fertilizer applied to the soil on seed yield and some quality parameters of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). The study was carried out in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey between the years 2016-2018. In the study, 4 different doses of leonardite and nitrogen fertilizer were administered. In the study, the highest plant height and number of branches were found in L2N90, the highest number of capsules was found in L2N60, and the highest number of seed per capsule was found in L2N60 and L3N60. As a result of the study, the highest seed yield was obtained from L-2 and L-3 doses of leonardite and from N-60 dose of nitrogen. It was determined that the fixed oil ratio, essential oil ratio contained in the black cumin seeds, and essential oil components parallel with the increase in leonardite and nitrogen doses. It was concluded that leonardite, a soil conditioner, could be used in black cumin cultivation under semi-arid climate conditions and that 2000 kg ha(-1) leonardite and 60 kg ha(-1) nitrogen could be applied to improve the yield and quality of black cumin.