CUMIN

Cumin is important spice and condiments of India. It is known as "Jeera" in hindi and used in Kitchens for flavouring various food. Cumin also possess medicinal property and used for stomach pain, obesity etc. Cumin oil is used in veterinary medicine and other industries. It is native of Egypt and Europe, Asia, Middle East and North Africa are Major cumin producing areas. India is major producer and consumer of cumin in the world. In India, Gujarat and Rajasthan are major cumin growing states. In Rajasthan, Jodhpur, Jalore, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Pali are major cumin growing districts. 

Well drained and soils rich in organic matter are suitable for cumin cultivation. Select land on which for 3-4 years cumin cultivation is not done.

RZ 19: Suitable for cultivation in all areas of Rajasthan. Ready to harvest in 125 days. Plants are tall, flowers are of pink color with big grains. Gives average yield of 4.2qtl/acre.

RZ 209: Suitable for cultivation in all areas of Rajasthan. Grains are ash brown color. Ready to harvest in 120-125 days. Gives average yield of 2.4-2.8qtl/acre. It is resistant to Powdery Mildew.   

Gujarat Jeera 2: It is developed by Gujrat Krushi Vishwavidyalaya. It gives average yield of 2.8qtl/acre. It is ready to harvest in 100 days.

RZ 223: It is a medium duration crop, ready to harvest in 120-130 days. It gives average yield of 2.4qtl/acre.

GC 4: Suitable for cultivation in all areas of Rajasthan. Grains are ash brown in color. Ready to harvest in 120 days. It gives average yield of 2.4-2.8qtl/acre.

For Cumin cultivation, required well pulverize and levelled soil. To bring soil to fine tilth, plough land and then planking is done to make the soil level.

Time of sowing
Best time for cumin sowing is from 15 to 30 November.

Spacing
For line sowing, use spacing of 30cm between two rows.

Sowing Depth
Seeds are sown at depth of 1-2cm. 

Method of Sowing
For sowing broadcasting or line sowing is used.

Seed Rate
For sowing one acre land use seed rate of 4-6kg/acre is sufficient.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing, treat cumin seeds with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds. It will protect seeds from fungal infection.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For accurate fertilizer dose and to avoid excessive use of fertilizer, soil testing is important step. For good growth of crop along with good yield, apply fertilizer dose of N:P:K@15kg/acre: 11kg/acre:7kg/acre. Apply nitrogen in form of Urea@32kg, Phosphorus in form of SSP@66kg and Potash in form of MOP@12kg/acre.
 
Along with well decomposed cow dung@2ton/acre, apply half dose of N and full dose of P and K at time of sowing. Remaining half dose of Nitrogen should be applied 35days after sowing.  

Immediately after sowing, give light irrigation. Apply second irrigation, 10 days after sowing at time of germination. Afterwards three irrigation are sufficient. Apply remaining irrigations on 35th, 60th and 85days after sowing. Once crop gets mature avoid irrigation. Irrigation at seed filling stage, increases chances of powdery mildew, aphid and blight infestation.

Weed is serious problem of cumin crop. To keep check on weeds, do frequent weeding, hoeing operations. Carry out first weeding, 30-35 days after sowing when cumin crop is of 5cm height. Take second weeding 20-25 days after first weeding and keep field weed free. To control weeds chemically, one to two days after sowing take spray of Pendimethalin@ 1Ltr/200Ltr water.

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphid: They suck sap from the leaf. They excrete honey like substance and developed sooty mold.
To control take spray of Diamethoate 30EC@200ml/acre. If necessary repeat spray with interval of 10-15 days. Or take spray of Thiamethoxam 25WG@40gm/acre. If necessary take second spray of it.

• Disease and their control:
  

Fusarium wilt: Plants become stunted, yellowed, followed by defoliation. Yellowing first occurs around leaf edges and advances inward. It affects at all stage of crop.
Use resistant variety to control Fusarium wilt. Avoid continuous planting of cumin in same field. Follow proper crop rotation. Provide good drainage. Treat seed with Trichoderma viride formulation@4gm/kg of seed.

Alternaria Blight: It is a serious disease, it cause reduction in seed yield. Dark, brown black spots are developed on leaves. Disease infected plant failed to produce seeds.
Before sowing, treat seeds with Captan or Thiram@4gm/kg of seeds. 40 days after sowing, take spray of Dithane M-45@2gm per Ltr of water. Repeat its spray with interval of 10 days.

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, White powdery growth appears on lower side of leaves, branches and pods. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. It can develop at any stage of crop development. In severe infestation it causes defoliation.
If infestation is observed, take spray of Karathane 40EC@80ml in 100Ltr water per acre. If needed repeat the spray with interval of 10days. Or spray crop with water soluble Sulphur@ 20gm/10Ltr of water. If necessary repeat the spray.

Cumin crop is ready to harvest in 100-115 days. Harvesting is done with help of sickle. After cutting crop, plants are stacked on threshing floor and left for sun drying. After proper sun drying, threshing is done.

After proper drying and cleaning of seed with gravity separator, sorting and grading is carried out. Then seeds are packed in sterilized gunny bags and store in aerated stores.