Evaluation of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) genotypes under northern dry zone of Karnataka

Ajwain is an aromatic seed spice which is cultivated mainly for its seed, herb and volatile oil. Analysis of variance among 16 ajwain genotypes indicated that all the genotypes were significantly different with respect to all the characters studied. Wide variability existed among the genotypes for all the morphological and yield traits. Among the sixteen genotypes studied, DAC-5 took minimum days to germination (11.00 days) and GA-1 showed a maximum plant height (111.20 cm). AA-93 took minimum days to 50 per cent flowering (86 days) and it showed maximum number of flowers per umbel (304.10). Genotype AA-1 recorded maximum number of branches (18.20), number of umbels per plant (213), number of umbellets per umbel (15.33), number of seeds per umbel (226.88), seed yield per plant (10.99 g), seed yield per hectare (4.14 q), harvest index (30.29%) and maximum test weight (1.67 g). Among the genotypes AA-93 was found to be early maturing (131 days). The minimum days to maturity was found in AA-93 (131). Maximum oleoresin and essential oil content was observed in DAC-5 (7.15%) and AA-1 (2.33%), respectively. Among the genotypes evaluated AA-1 and AA-93 were suitable to grow under northern dry zone of Karnataka based on growth and yield attributes.