CUMIN

Bot.Name : Coniums cyminum L.

Family : Apiaceae
Origin : Mediterranean region
Plant Part : Fruits
Cumin is the dried seed and is one of
the old spices consumed all over
country.Cumin is also used as an ingredient in
Ayurvedic medicine for curing stomach
ailments like diarrhea and dysentry.
 Varieties:

Mostly local strains are cultivated in

cumin growing areas in India. A few
selections were made and released for
cultivation in the past few years.
 RS-1:

This is evolved by the state Department of

Agriculture Rajasthan, by simple selection among
the variable population. This is an early maturing
variety, having bold aromatic seeds and gives 10-
20% higher yield than that of the local.
Other Varieties:

Gujarat Cumin-1
Gujarat Cumin-2
Rajasthan Zeera-19
Climate:

Cumin is a tropical plant and it can be

cultivated as a rabi crop in areas where atmospheric
humidity is low during the month of February and
march, When the crop flowers and seed formation
takes place. High humidity during flowering and
fruiting period would lead to the incidence of
diseases. It can be grown from sea level to 3000 M
MSL.
Soil:
Cumin can be successfully cultivated
on well drained, medium to heavy textured
soils of medium to high fertility. On light
textured soils, the incidence of wilt
diseases is found to be more server, it can
also be grown in slightly alkaline soils
having a pH of 8.9.
Preparation of land:

The land is repeatedly ploughed to bring

the soil to a fine tilth. The field is than leveled
and made into beds of convenient sizes,
keeping in view the topography and irrigation
facilities.
Seeds and sowing:

The seed rate ranges from 8.0 to 15 kg

per hectare depending upon whether the crop
is shown by broadcast or in lines. Soaking the
seeds for 24 to 36 hours in water will enhance
the germination percentage. In line sowing , the
lines are spaced at 15-20 cm. after sowing by
either method the seeds are covered by fine
soil up to a thickness of 1 cm.
Irrigation:
A light irrigation is given immediately after sowing.
Second irrigation is required after 8-10 days. The
germination of the seeds will be visible only after
second irrigation. A third irrigation may be given
after another week to help the emergence of
seedlings and completion of irrigation.
Manuring:

Well rotten farm yard manure @ 15-20

tonnes / ha may be applied and incorporated
during the field preparation. Nitrogen at 30 kg
/ ha in two split doses, 30 and 60 days after
sowing the crop may be applied and
irrigated.
Intercultivation:

The first hoeing and weeding are done

when the plants are 5 cm tall. Subsequently
one to two more hoeings and weedings are
given to get better growth of the crop.
Harvestings:

ssCumin matures in about 100-120 days

depending upon the variety and area of
cultivation. For harvestings the plants are
uprooted and staked in sun for drying. The grains
are threshed by beating, and cleaned by
winnowing. Grains are stored in polythene lined
gunny bags.
Yield:
On an average, depending upon the variety,
the yield varies from 500-800 kg of grains per
hectare and it may go upto 1000kg / ha under good
management and favourable conditions.