Determination of agronomic characteristics of different black cumin genotypes under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is an important medicinal and spice crop belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. In recent years, its cultivation and economic value have increased considerably. However, drought and the associated reduction in water resources have become major constraints on global agricultural production and in Türkiye, encouraging the selection of crops with high economic returns under limited water conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the responses of selected black cumin genotypes to irrigated and non-irrigated (dry) conditions. The experiment was conducted under the ecological (climate) conditions of Isparta using a split-plot design arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications. Irrigated and non-irrigated treatments were assigned to main plots, while genotypes were allocated to subplots. In addition to agronomic traits, seed oil content and seed oil yield were investigated. Seed oil was extracted using the cold-press method, and seed oil yield was calculated based on cold-press oil contents. The results indicated that irrigation increased the mean biological yield from 371 to 435 kg/da and seed yield from 81.3 to 97.3 kg/da. Genotypes exhibited different responses to irrigation treatments. The highest seed yield and seed oil (cold-press) yield were obtained from irrigated parcels of Genotype 16, with values of 156 and 50.82 kg/da, respectively. Under irrigated conditions, the standard cultivar Çameli produced seed and seed oil yields of 89.8 and 23.69 kg/da, respectively. Overall, irrigation significantly improved yield parameters, and Genotype 16 was identified as having a high yield potential under the studied conditions.