Physiological, Biochemical, and Agronomic Trait Responses of Nigella sativa Genotypes to Water Stress

Water stress may affect the growth, physiology, morphology, biochemistry, and productivity of Nigella sativa (black cumin), a medicinal aromatic plant. Measuring these parameters under various irrigation regimes could provide useful information for successful genotype selection breeding. Therefore, agronomically significant features were evaluated in ten black cumin genotypes (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, India, Arak, Isfahan, Semirom, Shahreza, Shahrekord, Mashhad) three (40% (I1), 60% (I2), 80% (I3) permissible moisture discharge) during 2017 to 2018 growing seasons. was shown increase levels carotenoids (Cars), proline, total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities but reduced relative water content (RWC) chlorophyll content. The highest increases Cars, TSC, CAT, APX noted Mashhad I3 regime, respectively. At same time, lowest decrease observed chlorophyll, H2O2, Semirom. According susceptibility index, most resistant Shahrekord I2 Semirom I3. These data demonstrate that affected physiological, biochemical, morphological both qualitatively quantitatively, although impact varied depending upon genotype, traits. As such, results presented represent valuable with which inform future breeding programs drought-tolerant cumin. This is particular significance considering global climate change.