Effect of sowing time and spacing on growth, yield and economics of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2015-16 to 2017-18 at Seed Spice Research Station,S.D.Agricultural University, Jagudan on “Effect of sowing time and spacing on growth, yield and economics of cumin(Cuminum cyminum L.)”. The soil was loamy sand in texture, neutral in soil reaction, with low in organic carbon, medium in available phosphorus and potash. There were four treatments of sowing date and three spacings were replicated thrice in factorial concept of randomized block design. Sowing of cumin on 5^th November recorded significantly the higher values of number of branches per plant, plant height, number of umbellate per umbel, umbels per plant and test weight(g). Cumin sown at recommended distance i.e. 30 cm apart gave significantly the highest values of all the growth and yield parameters over rest of the treatments i.e. broadcasting and 15 cm between two rows. Crop sown at 30 cm apart on 5^th November recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches and umbels per plant as well as number of umballates per umbel over rest of the treatments. Similarly highest seed yield of cumin crop achieved when crop sown at 30 cm apart on 5^th November. The superior values of yield attributes noticed under optimum spacing and proper sowing time may be attributed to better growth and development of individual plants. The crop sown at 30 cm apart  on 5^th November recorded higher net realization and BCR as compared to rest of the treatment combinations. The volatile oil did not affected due to different sowing time and spacing. Thus, to avail the benefits of no cost technology and to generate the higher income and net realization, cumin crop should be sown at 30 cm row distance on 5^th November.