Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Black Cumin (Nigella)
Nigella is grown for black aromatic seeds and is botanically distinct from cumin and caraway. It can be cultivated as a rainfed crop in suitable climates, with seed maturity and timely capsule harvest important for recovering the crop.
Profile
- Origin
- Mediterranean and western Asian region
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Soil pH
- PROSEA reports successful cultivation at pH 5–8
- Climate
- PROSEA describes growth across approximately 5–25 °C, with an optimum near 14 °C
- Planting
- Propagated by seed
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- No numeric volumetric water content sensor target is provided by the cited sources.
- Salinity tolerance
- No numeric soil or irrigation-water salinity threshold is provided by the cited sources.
- Drought tolerance
- Rainfed cultivation is documented, but this does not establish a drought-tolerance threshold.
Illustrative monitoring-depth band
3–8 in
Editorial placement example, not a validated optimum or total rooting depth. Confirm the site's root distribution and soil horizons; multiple depths may be needed.
The cited sources do not provide a transferable irrigation schedule; account for rainfall, soil drainage and crop establishment.
Problems to watch
- Cercospora leaf spot
- Capsule borers and leaf-feeding caterpillars
- Do not confuse Nigella sativa with other plants sold under the name black cumin
Stress signs
- Leaf spotting associated with Cercospora
- Empty carpels associated with borer injury
Where you'll find it
- Seed seasoning
- Seed oil
More plants, natives & crops
Published botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.