Yield of Kalonji (Nigella sativa L.) with N-levels and foliar applications of nutrients as irrigated and un-irrigated crop

Yield response of Nigella (Nigella sativa L.), also known as Kalonji, was compared under the treatments Nlevels (30, 60, and 90 kg ha -1 ) and nutrients mixture “Micro Power” applications (single, double and triple) as foliar spray (FS) during vegetative growth 60, 80 and 100 days after sowing (DAS). Field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research area, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during winter season 2011-12 as irrigated and un-irrigated crop. Experiment was conducted in 2 x 2 factors; randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replications each. Both experiments were initially sown on same moist soils but thereafter un-irrigated set was subjected to natural seasonal precipitation. However, the irrigated crops received two flood irrigations. Data were recorded on growth and yield during the season. ANOVA results revealed that among yield traits, grains weight decreased by 14% with increase in N-level from 30 to 60 kg ha -1 but did not differ at treatments N 60 and 90 kg ha -1 . Grains per plant or capsule weight also fluctuated which was observed higher at N-level 90 than N-level 60 kg ha -1 . Likewise, FS influenced grains per plant with higher in single and double FS over the triple FS. Capsules weight per plant was approximately 10% higher in single FS and double FS which resulted higher grain and straw yield. The study suggested that low N application and limited FS is useful for the Kalonji crop. Higher N-level from 60 kg ha -1 or FS more than single may not as advantageous to the crop as expected. Kalonji being famous for drought has also shown 13.5% higher grains and 5.75% straw with irrigations supplement.