YIELD AND QUALITY OF BLACK CUMIN (Nigella sativa L.) POPULATIONS: THE EFFECT OF ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The experiment was carried out in two vegetation seasons of 2013 and 2014 at the Isparta and Eskisehir ecological conditions. The main purpose of the study was to determine the effects of years and locations on seed yield, some yield-related traits, essential oil content and fixed oil ratio of black cumin populations. In the study, black cumin populations were obtained from Burdur, Tokat, Usak, Eskisehir and Antalya provinces. The experiments were arranged according to a randomized complete-block design with three replications. The average seed yield varied between 201.0-407.1 kg ha(-1) in 2013 and 458.9-790.3 kg ha(-1) in 2014. In compared to locations; while yield components of black cumin populations significantly varied according to locations and years, seed yield in both years were higher in Isparta location on all populations due to higher rainfall than Eskisehir. In compared to populations; the highest seed yield was determined in Usak population and it was followed by Eskisehir population. But the essential oil wasn't detected in Usak population. The highest essential oil content was obtained from Tokat population in both locations and years, it was followed by Eskisehir population. The fixed oil ratios were higher in Tokat, Usak and Antalya populations in both locations and years.