Abstract:
he appropriate row spacing and varieties for Black cumin is not scientifically studied in
West Dembia district, North West Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted in this district
to determine the appropriate row spacing that optimize yield of Black cumin varieties under
irrigation system. Three varieties (Dershaye, Eden and Local) and four levels of row spacing
(20, 25, 30 and 35 cm) were combined in 3×4 factorial arrangement and laid out in a
randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on crop
phenology, growth and yield parameters. All measured characters were subjected to the
analysis of variance using SAS computer software version 9.4. The result of the study showed
that varieties influenced most of crop phenology, growth and yield parameters except 1000
seed weight and harvest index. The longest time were recorded from Eden variety in crop
phenology parameters of days to emergence, days to flowering and days to physiological
maturity. The growth and yield attributing factors like number of primary branches plant
-1
,
number of secondary branches plant
-1
, number of capsules plant
-1
, number of seeds capsule
-1
and aboveground dry biomass were found to be the highest in local variety. Most of crop
phenology, growth and yield parameters were not significantly affected by row spacing except
number of secondary branches plant
-1
and harvest index. The interaction effect of variety and
row spacing was significant for all of growth and yield parameters as well as for seed yield.
Growth and yield parameter factors like number of capsules plant
-1
, plant height, number of
primary branches plant
-1
and number of secondary branches plant
-1
were found to be highest
either at 20 cm or 30 cm row spacing combined with local variety. Highest seed yield (940 kg
ha
-1
) was recorded from the local variety with 20 cm row spacing. Generally, local variety
with 20 cm row spacing performed best almost in all yield contributing variables in the study
area. Hence, it is suggested to conduct further study on performance of improved black cumin
cultivars and closer row spacing on oil content and other quality parameters.
