Effect of nitrogen levels, plant density and climate on yield quantity and quality in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) under the conditions of Iran

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer (N) (Urea 46%) and plant density (D) on the growth, seed yield, quantity and quality of seed essential oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) under the climatic conditions (L) of Lorestan Province (Poldokhtar, Khoramabad and Azna as tropical, temperate and cold regions, respectively) of Iran. Nitrogen as main factor (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g m-2 and plant density as subsidiary factor (80, 120 and 160 plants m-2) were applied. The results showed that the highest umbel number per plant (42.34), seed number per umbel (9.78) and biological yield (2231) were related to the 2.5 g m-2 nitrogen fertilizer and 120 plants m-2 treatment (N2D2) and the highest harvest index (53.22%) obtained in N3L1 in this manner the highest value of variable include weight of thousand seeds (4.9 g) in N3L2, seed yield (108.4 g m-2) and percentage of seed essential oil (2.89%) in N2L1 (p<0.01). Seed yield, yield components, biological yield, harvest index and percentage of seed essential oil were significantly affected by nitrogen fertilizer, plant density and climate. The highest those conducted to 2.5 g m-2 nitrogen fertilizer, 120 Plants m-2 plant density and Moderate climate. The most principle compounds composing the essential oil were cuminaldehyde (maximum 32.65%) and sum of P-mentha-1, 3-dien-7-al and P-mentha-1, 4-dien-7-al (maximum 55.42%). As a final point the temperate location was offered as the most suitable for cumin growing and production. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.