Agric. sci. dev., Vol(3), No (9), September, 2014. pp.

279-283

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Agriculture Science Developments

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ISSN:
2306-7527
Copyright 2014. All rights reserved for TI Journals.

Effect of biological phosphate and chemical phosphorus fertilizer on

yield and yield components of Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.)
Ebrahim Shirmohammadi
Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Soil and Water Engineering, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

Mojtaba Khaje
Department, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

Hassan Shahgholi
Young Researchers and Elite Club, Aligoodarz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aligoodarz, Iran.

Ghasem Hosein Talaei*

Young Researchers and Elite Club, Aligoodarz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aligoodarz, Iran.
*Corresponding author: ghasem.talaei@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Bio-phosphate
Fertilizer
Medicinal plant
Yield

Black cumin is a medicinal plant with economic influences, especially in medicine production. The effect of
biological phosphate and chemical phosphorus fertilizer on yield and yield components of Black cumin
[Nigella sativa L.] medicinal plant were studied in a field experiment at the research farm of Nour Abad in
Lorestan, Iran, during 2013. Experiment was arranged as a factorial based on randomized complete block
design in three replications. Treatments included biological phosphate [Pseudomonas putida] at two levels
inoculated and non-inoculated and chemical phosphorus [P 2O5] at three levels [Zero, 40 and 80 kg.ha-1].
Results showed that effect of treatments on plant height, capsules number per plant, grain number per
capsules and grain yield were statically meaningful, however, there were no significant differences between
treatments in about weight of 1000 grains. Results showed that effect of treatments on plant height, Capsule
number per plant, grain number per Capsule and grain yield were statically meaningful, however, there were
no significant differences between treatments in about weight of 1000 grains. The means showed that the
greatest plant highest [32.1 cm] and grain yield [735 kg.ha-1 ] were obtained by a treatment of biological
phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha-1 P2O5]. Results indicate that applying the combined biological
phosphate and chemical phosphorus fertilizer can be practical and helpful method to increase Black cumin
yield, yield components and reduce the environmental pollution.

1.

Introduction

Medicinal plants have a special place in traditional Iranian medical science. Such plants are frequently used in people's everyday lives and are
important for the treatment of a variety of diseases [21]. The seed of Nigella sativa plant has been used since long to protect health and combat
different diseases in countries especially in different parts of Middle East and Southeast Asia. In Southern parts of Asia, this plant has been
known as Kalonji while its Arabic name is Habat-ul- Sauda. It is called Black cumin in English [19]. One of the most commonly used medicinal
plants in Iran is Black cumin of the Ranunculaceae family, a two-cotyledon, annual grass with straight roots and stems [3]. Black cumin is a
native plant of western Asia. It also grows in most parts of Iran such as Arak, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Lorestan and other parts of the country [17].
Black cumin is an annual plant, originally grown in arid and semiarid regions [5]. According to the literature, Black cumin seeds and their
extracts contain anti-abiotic, antihistaminic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antitumor, galactagogue and insect repellent
properties [23; 29; 31]. Integration of chemical and bio-fertilizers is one of the ways to increase production in sustainable agriculture [2; 28].
Phosphorus bio-fertilizers bacteria such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas increased soil soluble phosphorus by secreting organic acids and
phosphatase enzyme [7]. Environmental problems caused by irregular application of chemical fertilizers, inappropriate energy production
methods and excessive consumption costs have all had harmful effects on biological cycles and destroyed farming stability systems; these
factors altogether encourage the application of bio fertilizers [13]. Ability of micronutrients absorption [especially zinc] is very important for
optimum growth of plants. In most of the Iranian soils pH is high and they are also calcareous. In this type of soils solvability of micronutrients
is less and it decrease absorption of micronutrients by plant, finally requirement of plants increasing to this elements [18]. Maralin, [16] showed
that yield and Zn and Fe concentration of wheat increased by Zn and Fe foliar application. Plant height, stem diameter and leaf area index of
maize where significantly increased by application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer 8 weeks after sowing [22]. Hamidi et al. [10] in a study
showed that fresh weight, number of leaves above the ear, yield of silage forage and vegetative growth of maize increased by application of
PGPR [Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria]. Hassanzadeh et al. [11] reported grain yield and dry matter production in barley increased by
application of phosphate-solution bacteria and chemical phosphorus fertilizer. El-Gizawy and Mehasen, [8] showed that application of chemical
phosphorus fertilizer with phosphate-solution bacteria had a significant effect on bean grain yield, yield components, nitrogen content, and
content of phosphorus and zinc in the grain. Maize growth and dry weight increased by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR]
application [32; 12]. Application of bio-fertilizer with 50% of chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium [NPK] fertilizers increased maize
vegetative growth, plant height, branch number, fresh and dry weight and total carbohydrate on dry matter as compared to chemical fertilizers
treatments [15]. The present investigation was done in order to evaluate the effect of different treatments methods of biological phosphate and
chemical phosphorus fertilizer on yield and yield components of Black cumin [Nigella sativa L.] medicinal plant.

2.

Methodology

Ebrahim Shirmohammadi, Mojtaba Khaje , Ghasem Hosein Talaei *, Hassan Shahgholi

280

Agriculture Science Developments Vol(3), No (9), September, 2014.

The experiment was carried out in 2013 at the research farm Nour Abad, Lorestan Iran, located in the longitude 48o and 21 and the latitude 320
and 30 with a height of 1117 m above sea level, with annual precipitation of 524 mm and average annual temperature of 17oC. The physical and
chemical properties of the experimental soil where shown in table 1. The field was prepared in autumn and in March the crop was planted. The
experiment was a factorial with two factors arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was
biological phosphate [bacterial strain Pseudomonas putida] [for preparation of biological phosphate solution, 100 g Pseudomonas putida was
added to 2000 ml water and was sprayed on seeds] at two levels; inoculated [+] and non-inoculated [-] and second factor was three levels of
chemical phosphorus fertilizer [P2O 5] P1= Zero, P2= 40 and P3= 80 kg.ha-1. Each experimental plot was three meters long and two meters wide
with the spacing of 50 cm between the rows and a distance of 20 cm between plants in the rows. There was a space of one meter between the
plots and two meters between replications. The Black cumin seeds were planted distance were two cm apart, covered with wet sand and about a
centimeter thick and after emerging from the soil, thinning operation to set the desired density was performed. Three-quarters of fertilizer was
applied at planting seeds and the rest was applied to plant at shooting. Black cumin seeds were directly sown by hand. There was no incidence of
pest or disease on Black cumin during the experiment. Basin irrigation until harvest was done depending on weather conditions and weeds were
controlled. In order to measurement of characteristics of effective on yield components and substance effective, after removing the marginal
effects of each plot, 10 plants from each plot were harvested randomly. All necessary cultural practices and plant protection measures were
followed uniformly for all the plots during the entire period of experimentation. Data analysis was done by using software SAS. The ANOVA
test was used to determine significant [p0.01 or p0.05] treatment effect and Duncan Multiple Range Test to determine significant difference
between individual means. In this experiment capsules number per plant, grain number per capsules, weight of 1000 grains, biological yield and
grain yield were studied.
Table 1. several physical and chemical properties of the experimental soil

Deep [cm]
0-30

3.

pH

Cu
ppm

Zn
ppm

Mn
ppm

Fe
ppm

N
ppm

K
ppm

P
ppm

O.C
[%]

Ec
mmos/cm

7.7

0.68

0.8

6.6

7.6

80

230

0.79

0.61

Results and Discussion

3.1 Plant height

The results of the analysis variance showed that the plant height was significantly affected by treatments [P0.01] in this experiment [Table 2].
This suggests the increase in plant height under influence of phosphorus fertilizers treatments, as the highest plant height [32.1 cm] was obtained
by application of biological phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha-1 P2O5], and the lowest [23 cm] plant height was obtained in control
treatment [non-fertilizer application] [Fig. 1]. Biological phosphate fertilizer increased root uptake through root development. Furthermore,
application of biological fertilizer increased plant height by increasing plant growth regulator hormones production [such as IAA and GA] [26].
The obtained data are in general agreement with those reported by Shaalan [27], Singh et al. [30] and Ezz et al. [9]. Showed that the using of
phosphorus fertilization or effective microorganisms as a biological fertilizer increased all studied vegetative growth characters including plant
height. Singh et al. [30] revealed the positive effect of biological fertilizer on the plant height of Calendula officinalis L. Similar observations
have been reported by Chandrikapure et al. [4] in marigold.

Table 2. Analysis of variance for effects of biological and chemical fertilizers phosphorus on yield and yield components of Black cumin

Resource changes

df

Plant height

Repetition
Biological phosphate [A]
Chemical phosphorus [B]
[A] [B]
Error
CV [%]

2
1
2
2
10
-

67.062 ns
21.125 **
35.205 **
19.565 **
1.510
4.55

Capsules number
per plant

Grain number per

capsules

26.167 ns
131.167 ns
4.500 **
264.500 **
58.500 **
210.500 **
19.500 **
198.500 **
1.167
2.167
17.23
5.70
**: Significant at= 1%, ns: Not significant.

Weight of 1000
grains

grain yield

0.222 ns
0.245 ns
0.260 ns
0.260 ns
0.014
8.57

10004.6 ns
39200 **
34838 **
19478 **
310.8
2.83

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Effect of biological phosphate and chemical phosphorus fertilizer on yield and yield components of Black cumin [Nigella sativa L.]
Agriculture Science Developments Vol(3), No (9), September, 2014.

35

Plant height (cm)

30

ab

25

ab

20
15
10
5
0
P1+

P2+

P3+

P1-

P2-

P3-

Fertilizer treatments
Fig 1. Effect of fertilizer treatments on plant height

3.2 Capsules number per plant

Table 2 shows that the capsules number per plant was significantly [P0.01] affected by biological phosphate fertilizer and chemical
phosphorus. The mean comparison of data in different treatments showed that maximum capsules number per plant [12] was determined by
application of biological phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha -1 P2O5]. Minimum capsules number per plant [5] was obtained in control
plants [non-fertilizer application] [Fig. 2]. Our findings are in agreement with those reported by some other researchers. Singh et al. [30] showed
that maximum capsules number per plant in Calendula officinalis L. was obtained under application of biological fertilizer along with 75% of
chemical fertilizer. Studies of Abou El-Yazeid and Abou-Aly [1] demonstrated that the capsules number per plant had significantly higher value
under application of phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms combined with rock phosphorus treatments compared to control. This could be
attributed to the highest values of available phosphorus compared to other treatments.
a

Capsules number per plant

12

10

c
c

8
6

c
d

4
2
0
P1+

P2+

P3+

P1-

P2-

P3-

Fertilizer treatments
Fig 2. Effect of fertilizer treatments on capsules number per plant

3.3 Grain number per capsules

Results showed that grain number per capsules was significantly [P0.01] affected by biological phosphate fertilizer and chemical phosphorus
[Table 2]. The mean comparison of data in different treatments showed that the highest grain number per capsules [39] was achieved by
application of biological phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha -1 P2O5]. The lowest grain number per capsules [15] was obtained in control
treatment [non-fertilizer application] [Fig. 3]. Biological phosphate fertilizer has significantly influenced the grain number per capsules. On the
other hand, biological phosphate fertilizer application through the improvement of biological activities of soil and mineral element absorption
caused more biomass production and grain number per capsules. Investigations of Sanchez Govin et al. [25] on Calendula officinalis and
Matricaria recutata, Mahfouz and Sharaf-Eldin [14] in Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Abou El- Yazeid et al. [1] in Cucurbita, and Dehghani
Meshkani et al. [6] in Matricaria recutita confirm our findings. Study of Ezz et al. [9] on banana [Musa spp.] showed that the using of
phosphorus fertilization and/or effective microorganisms as a biological fertilizer increased all studied vegetative growth characters.

Ebrahim Shirmohammadi, Mojtaba Khaje , Ghasem Hosein Talaei *, Hassan Shahgholi

282

Agriculture Science Developments Vol(3), No (9), September, 2014.

Grain number per capsules

40
b

35
30
25

c
d
e

20

15
10
5
0
P1+

P2+

P3+

P1-

P2-

P3-

Fertilizer treatments
Fig 3. Effect of fertilizer treatments on grain number per capsules

3.4 Weight of 1000 grains

The present results showed that by all treatments had not significant effect on weight of 1000 grains [Table 2].
3.5 Grain yield
The results presented in Table 2 have revealed that different levels of treatments had significant effects on the grain yield [P0.01]. Mean
comparison table showed that the maximum [735 kg.ha-1] and minimum [451 kg.ha-1] grain yield were obtained by a treatment of biological
phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha-1 P2O5] and control [non-fertilizer application], respectively [Fig. 4]. Increase of grain yield under
the influence of phosphorus fertilizers, can be attributed to the ability of phosphorus solution bacteria in fertilizer in increasing phosphorus
liberalization of insoluble phosphorus sources. In another study Rokhzadi et al., [23] reported that grain yield of chickpea increased by
utilization of biological fertilizer.

Grain yield (kg.h-1)

800
700

600
f

500
400
300
200
100
0
P1+

P2+

P3+

P1-

P2-

P3-

Fertilizer treatments
Fig 4. Effect of fertilizer treatments on grain yeild

4.

Conclusion

Biological fertilize are widely applied in crop production and they are proper substitutions for chemical fertilizers. Application of biological
fertilizes significantly improved quality and quantity in Black cumin. Maximum of capsules number per plant, grain number per capsules,
biological yield and grain yield was obtained in treatment of biological phosphate + chemical phosphorus [40 kg.ha-1 P2O5 ]. Totally, the obtained
results revealed that using biological fertilizes combined with chemical fertilizer significantly improved the yield and yield components
compared to control.

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Effect of biological phosphate and chemical phosphorus fertilizer on yield and yield components of Black cumin [Nigella sativa L.]
Agriculture Science Developments Vol(3), No (9), September, 2014.

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