Ajmer Nigella -20: A new high-yielding nigella variety

Nigella (Nigella sativa L.) well known as black cumin belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is an important seed spice crop grown in India. The genus Nigella comprises more than 116 species, the most popular of which is Nigella sativa L. Nigella is classified as a seed spice because its dried seeds are used as a spice. ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer has developed the Ajmer Nigella- 20 (AN-20) variety through the mass selection breeding method. This variety starts flowering in 85-90 days after seed sowing in the field and matures in 145-150 days. It belongs to the medium maturity group. Plants of AN-20 are erect type, bear white flowers and their siliqua consist of 65-80 seeds per siliqua. Ajmer Nigella-20 seeds contain a higher amount of total oil (28.08 %) than other released varieties. In the multilocation trail, AN-20 resulted in a 1025 kg per ha seed yield which was 43% higher than Azad Kalonji (714 kg/ha). Ajmer Nigella-20 is recommended for cultivation in all nigella growing areas of Rajasthan.