ABSTRACT
Technical Committee on Underutilized Crops of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) of International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) identified Nigella sativa as a priority species for research and development in a meeting held at ICARDA in 1998. Although it has been extensively studied for its medicinal properties, little work has been carried out on its genetic improvement and agronomic practices. Due to increased demand of Nigella sativa oil in trade for medicinal purposes, it is a potential plant species in crop diversification to reduce risks of crop failure and improve crop productivity and income generation especially in smaller land holdings
2. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Nigella sativa L. is a pretty herb, about 50-60 cm in height (Fig. 1). The leaves are 2-3 pinnatisect, divided into linear segments, 3-5 cm long. The plant has finely divided foliage and pale bluish or white flowers. Leaves are opposite in pairs on either side of the stem, with the lower ones being small and petiolate and the upper leaves are long (6-10 cm), Flowers grow terminally on branches and are approximately 2-5 cm across, sepals acute, clawed, nectarial petals 8, geniculate, with a gland in the knee, one on the face and one on the apex of each lobe. Carpals 5-7, inflated, watery, united to the top, beak as long as the ovary, seeds 3 angled and 2-3 mm in length.
