Evaluation of the Combined Effect of Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer and Chemical Fertilizer on the Yield of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L)

Amini, Gh; Behdani, M. A; Askary, M; Sayyari Zahan, M. H; Khazaei, M

doi:10.22067/jcesc.2026.96886.1437

Evaluation of the Combined Effect of Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer and Chemical Fertilizer on the Yield of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Gh Amini ¹

M. A Behdani ¹

M Askary ²

M. H Sayyari Zahan ³

M Khazaei ¹

¹ Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

² Research on Medicinal and Crop Plants, Iran

³ Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand. Birjand, Iran

10.22067/jcesc.2026.96886.1437

Abstract

Introduction
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is one of the most important medicinal plant. It has high demand in Asia in the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and is used as condiments. It is also recognized for possessing powerful immunomodulatory properties. Cuminum cyminum is an important plant due to export benefits, its cultivation utilizes and revitalizes arid and semi-arid lands, and low water demand. Considering the importance of Cuminum cyminum as a medicinal plant, therefore, it is essential to better understand the determining factors on the yield of cumin. Therefore, proper nutritional management through utilizing organic and chemical fertilizers is considered essential in growing Cuminum cyminum for exploiting the potential of the environment and achieving maximum yield. Organic inputs can guarantee both agricultural production and nature conservation. The current approach is to find an appropriate substitute of chemical fertilizers by organic compounds that are cost-effective and eco-friendly. This study aimed to improve the yield and biodiversity by selecting the most appropriate way of medicinal plants cultivation that in addition to creating plants with high quantitative and qualitative yield, can increase the profitability through enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of biochar, and chemical fertilizers (NPK) on Cumin's growth and yield. This study provided physiological insights into the agronomic benefit mechanism of biochar utilization.

Materials and Methods
In order to investigate the effects of biochar, NPK complete fertilizer, and their combination on the yield and yield components of two local cumin population (Cuminum cyminum L), a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Agricultural Research Field of the University of Birjand at 32°53' N and longitude of 59^◦ and 13 East and at an altitude of 1480 m a.s.l. Birjand, Iran. The experimental treatments consisted of three levels of chemical fertilizer (20-20-20 NPK at 0, 40, and 80 kg ha^-1), two levels of biochar (0 and 10 ton ha^-1), and two local cumin cultivars (Khusf and Sarayan). Before preparing the seed bed, for measuring the physical and chemical properties and other required parameters of the soil, sampling was done from 0 to 30 cm depth from the experimental site. The measured traits included the morphophysiological traits, yield and yield components.

Results and Discussion
The results indicated that biochar and NPK fertilizer significantly affected the studied morphological and yield traits, and there was a statistically significant difference between the levels of biochar and NPK fertilizer treatments. Significant differences were also observed between the two cumin cultivars. The Khusf cultivar exhibited superior growth and yield traits compared to the Sarayan cultivar. The highest grain and biological yields were obtained with the Khusf cultivar under the combined application of 10 ton ha^-1 of biochar and the application of 40 kg ha^-1 of NPK. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between the 40 and 80 kg ha^-1 of NPK fertilizer application rates. Therefore, the application of 40 kg ha^-1 of NPK is recommended for optimal yield, reduced input costs, and minimized environmental impact.

Conclusion
The expansion of intensive crop production systems for long terms caused several problems, such as the reduction of biodiversity and the environmental contamination. The increasing concern regarding the negative impacts of these conventional agricultural methods on the ecosystems suggests the exploration of alternative methods endowed with improved efficiency and sustainability as well as high productivity. Application of organic fertilizers may be one appropriate way to reach this goal. The present experiment findings suggest that biochar application, in combination with reduced chemical fertilizer inputs, offers a promising approach for the sustainable production of medicinal plants while minimizing adverse environmental impacts.

Keywords

Biological yield

Cultivars

Grain yield

NPK

Subjects

Medicinal Plants

Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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