Turkish Journal of Botany

Abstract: The influence of foliar GA₃ application (0, 10^-4, 10^-5, or 10^-6 M) on the responses of Nigella sativa L. to various levels of N fertilisation (0, 176, 264, 352, or 442 mg N pot^-1) was analysed through 2 pot experiments conducted at the Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. The N fed plants showed a significant enhancement of capsule number and seed yield plant^-1, and nitrate reductase activity, as well as protein and oil yields plant^-1, especially upon application of 352 mg N pot^-1. Moreover, the effect of basal N was further potentiated following an additional treatment with various GA₃ concentrations. However, in contrast to all other parameters, seed oil content decreased with either treatment. Nonetheless, the combined application of 352 mg N pot^-1 and 10^-5 M GA₃ proved to be maximally stimulative.

Key Words: Nigella sativa, nitrate reductase, nitrogen, GA₃, seed oil content, seed protein content, seed yield