The effect of irrigation times and animal manure on yield and yield components of cumin (Cuminum cyminum)

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iran’s dry region. Animal manure in soil prepares essential elements, enhance moisture capacity on soil and increase plant yield. To study the effects of irrigation times and animal manure on yield and yield components of cumin, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Zahak, Zabol, during years 2003 – 2004 based on a randomized complete block design in factorial with four replications. Factors including irrigation times (I1: two times irrigation, I2: three times irrigation and I3: four times irrigation) and animal manure (F1: without animal manure, F2: with 20 tons/ha animal manure). By useing animal manure, biological yield and seed yield were increased. I2F2 had the highest number of umbers per plant, seed yield, biological yield and the lowest 1000 seeds weight and number of seeds per umber. Differences between I1F2, I2F1 and I3F1 were not significant. The result showed that animal manure decreased irrigation times. Among treatments, I1F1 had the lowest yield and its components. Seed yield and biological yield had positeive correlation with number of umber per plant and number of seeds per plant. It showed that numbers of umber per plant is the most important factor on cumin yield