ABSTRACT
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) L. is an annual herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. The seeds have a strong and distinctive aroma leading to their widespread use as a culinary spice and condiment in many cultures across the world. Cumin is a highly valuable crop due to its medicinal and nutritional properties. Biotic and abiotic stress factors are known to trigger defense mechanisms in the plant which result in the production of secondary metabolites that are of nutritional and pharmaceutical importance. It is a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds that are widely used for various healthcare purposes. Whereas some biotic and abiotic stresses may result in reduced crop yield, others such as water deficit treatment may regulate the production of bioactive compounds in cumin seeds, influencing their nutritional and industrial values. Total phenolic contents of C. cyminum seeds have also been reported to be higher in drought-stressed than non-stressed seeds. In this chapter, the authors explore how cumin responds to the different biotic and abiotic stress factors, how they affect the yield of its bioactive principles and how they can be harnessed for the benefit of humankind.
