The effects of nitrogen source and amount on growth, chlorophyll, oil, and essence contents of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Subject Areas : Genetic

Ahmad Abdolzadeh ¹ (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran)
Yash Gin Valipoor Chahardahcheriki ² (Department of Medicinal Plants, Baharan Higher Educational Institution, Gorgan, Iran)
Farshid Ghaderi-Far ³ (Department of Agronomy, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran)

Received: 2016-01-18 Accepted : 2017-05-28 Published : 2017-03-21

Keywords: essence yield, Seed yield, nitrogen fertilizer, Oil yield, Nigella sativa,

Abstract :

The objective of the present study was evaluation of the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer sources (urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate) and levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha) on growth parameters, chlorophyll, oil and essence contents of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). The experiment was conducted based on a complete randomized block design with 3 replications in a farm field near Gorgan. The results indicated that the highest number of flowering branch, plant dry weight, number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule, harvest index, biological yield, seed yield, oil yield and percentage, essence yield and percentage, and chlorophyll a, b and total content were observed in 150 kg/ha urea. The number of flowering branch, chlorophyll a, b and total content and essence and oil percentage achieved to their maximum amount following use of 50 kg/ha urea, however, harvest index, biological yield, seed yield, oil yield and essence yield increased by increment of level of urea fertilizer up to 150 kg/ha. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate fertilizers increased most of the studied parameters including biological yield, seed yield, oil yield, and essence yield compared with control and ranked 2nd and 3rd after urea, respectively. Application of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate fertilizer beyond 50 kg/ha resulted in no significant effect on these parameters. The data indicated that 150 kg/ha urea could resulted in the highest growth and oil and essence yield. Further experiments in other climates and soil condition are suggested.

References:

Abdolzadeh, A., Hosseinian, F., Aghdasi, M. and Sadgipoor, H. (2006). Effects of nitrogen sources and levels on growth and alkaloid content of periwinkle. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences. 5 (2): 271-276.

Abdolzadeh, A., Shima, K., Lambers, H. and Chiba, K. (2008). Change in uptake, transport and accumulation of ions in Nerium oleander L. (Rosebay) as affected by different nitrogen source and salinity. Annals of Botany. 102: 735-746.

AOAC. (1990). Official methods of analysis. Washington, DC.USA: Association of Official Analytical Chemists.

Arkoun, M,. Jannin, L.P., Laîné, P., Etienne, P., Garcia-Mina, J.M., Yvin, J.C. and Ourry, A. (2012). Hydroponics versus field lysimeter studies of urea, ammonium and nitrate uptake by oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Journal of Experimental Botany. 63 (14): 5245-5258.

Arnon, D.L. (1994). Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts, polyphenol oxidase in (Beta vulgaris). Plant Physiology. 24: 1-15.

Atta, M.B. (2003). Some characteristics of (Nigella sativa L.) seed cultivation in Egypt and its lipid profile. Food Chemistry Journal. 83(1): 63-68.

Bybordi, A. and Ebrahimian, E. (2013). Growth, yield and quality components of Canola fertilized with urea and zeolite. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 44: 2896–2915.

Bybordi, A., Malakouti, M.J. and Samavat, S. (2007). Effects of different rates and sources of nitrogen on the yield and quality of two onion varieties. Jornal of Soil and Water Sciences. 19: 183-193.

Charpenter, A.C. and Board, J.E. (1997). Growth dynamic factors controlling soybean yield stability across plant population. Crop Scince. 37: 1520-1526.

Das, A.K., Sadhu, M.K. and Som, M.G. (1991). Effect of N and P levels on growth and yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Horticulture Journal. 4: 41-47.

Dordas, C.A. and Sioulas, C. (2008). Safflower yield, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency response to nitrogen fertilization under rainfed conditions. Industrial Crops and Products. 27(1): 75–85.

Fallahi, J., Koocheki, A. and Rezvani Moghaddam, P. (2010). Effects of biofertilizers on quantitative and qualitative yield of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) as a medicinal plant. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 6(22): 109-113.

Javadi, H. (2010). Effect of planting dates and nitrogen rates on yield and yield components of black cumin (Nigella Sativa L). Journal of Research in Agricultural Science. 6(1): 59-66.

Khan, S.A. and Chattergee, B.N. (1982). Fertilizer use by Nigella sativa L. in west BengL. Indian Journal Agriculture Scince. 52: 384-387.

Marschner, P. (2012). Marschner’s Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. Third Edition. Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier. 643p.

Noorgholipour, F., Bagheri, I. and lotfelahi, M. (2010). Effects of different sources of nitrogen on the yield and quality of wheat. Journal of Research in Agricultural Science. 4(2): 120-129.

Olaniyan, A.B., Aintoye, H.A. and Balogun, M.A. (2004). Effect of different sources and rates of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of sweet corn. Acta Horticulture. 130: 206-212.

Riaz, M., Syed, M. and Chaudhary, F.M. (1996). Chemistry of the medicinal plants of the genus Nigella. Hamdard Medicus. 39: 40-45.

Valadabadi, S.A., Aliabadi Farahani, H. and Moaveni, P. (2010). Investigate effect of nitrogen application on essential oil content and seed yield in different cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) populations at Qazvin zone. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 26(3): 347-357.

Zhu, Z., Liang, Z., Han, R. and Dong, J., (2009). Growth and saikosaponin production of the medicinal herb Bupleurum chinense DC. Under different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Industrial Crops and Production. 29: 96-101.