1. Cuminum cyminum L.
Cumin is an important annual spice crop.
Mainly grown in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh
Rajasthan and Gujrat are the main cumin growing states which accounts for 56% production of the country.
Dried seed is mainly used as condiment and contain 7-8% volatile oil.
It has also pharmaceutical value
Total area under cumin is 760’000Ha with a production of 486’000MT (NHB,2017)

2. Important varieties Name
Source
RZ-223, RZ-19, RZ-209, RS-1, MC-43
SKNCOA, Jobner(Rajasthan)
Gujrat Cumin-3, Gujrat Cumin-2, Gujrat Cumin-1
GAU, Junagarh

3. Soil and Field Preparation Manures and Fertilizers
Climate
It is a cool season cop high rainfall and humidity especially after flowering is not desirable
Soil and Field Preparation
Select field in which cumin has not been sown for last three years
Deep friable and well drained loam to medium heavy soils
Soil should be brought to fine tilth by one deep ploughing followed by 2-3 light ploughings followed by planking
Pre-sowing irrigation should be given
Manures and Fertilizers
150q/ha
Basal dose( N:P:K)kg/ha : 15: 20: 15
15kg/ha should be top-dressed at 30 days after sowing

4. Sowing Time Sowing Method Seed Rate Irrigation
Mid November – mid December
Sowing Method
Line sowing: Shallow furrows are made at a distance of 22.5 to 25cm
Seed should not be sown more than 1.0cm depth
Seed Rate
10-12 kg /ha
Irrigation
First: light irrigation immediately after sowing
Second: 8-10 days after sowing
Subsequently dates interval depending upon moisture condition of the soil
Avoid irrigation at the time of grain filling

5. Weed Control Critical stage is initial stage as growth of weeds is much faster than the crop First weeding and hoeing is done 30days after sowing and second at 50 days after sowing Pre- emergence application of 1kg/ha followed by one hand weeding at 25 days after sowing Harvesting Crop matures in days after sowing Harvest the crop when the stems become yellow and leaves fall Uprooting of plants and threshing later on should not be done instead cutting by sickles is recommended Yield 6-8q/ha

6. Major insect pests and diseases of cumin
Scientific Name
Control
Insects
Aphid
Myzus persicae
Spray endosulphon %
Mite
Petrobia latens
Spray Ethion %
Diseases
Powdery mildew
Erysiphe polygoni
Spray sulphur based fungicide
Blight
Alternaria burnsii
Spray or Dithane 0.2%

7. Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Fennel is an annual aromatic herb Used for flavouring food products and has high medicinal value Commercially grown in Gujrat and Rajasthan. Gujrat alone occupies 64% area of cultivation in India It is cultivated in 75000Ha area in India and the production is MT Varieties
Name
Source
UF-101
RAU, Campus-Udaipur
Gujrat Fennel-11, Gujrat Fennel-1
GAU, Junagarh
Hisar Swarup
HAU, Hisar
RF-143
RAU, Jobner
Co-1
TNAU
PF-35

8. Soil and Field Preparation Manures and Fertilizers
Climate
It is a cool season crop
Requires dry and cool climate for its better yield and quality
Susceptible to frost at flowering stage
Cloudy weather for long duration at flowering and seed formation increase the incidence of aphids and attack of Ramularia blight disease
Soil and Field Preparation
Deep friable and well drained loam to medium heavy soils
Soil should be brought to fine tilth by one deep ploughing followed by 2-3 light ploughings followed by planking
Pre-sowing irrigation should be given
Manures and Fertilizers
150q/ha
Basal dose( N:P:K)kg/ha : 40: 40: 40kg/ha should be top-dressed in two splits at 30 and 50 days after sowing

9. Sowing Method and Seed Rate
Sowing Time
15th September – 15th November
Under north Indian plains, mid September to mid October
If transplanting method is followed then seed is sown in June/July and transplanted later on after days
Sowing Method and Seed Rate
Spacing: 45-60cm × 20-30cm
Seed should not be sown more than 1.5cm deep
10-12kg seed for direct sowing
3-4kg seed for transplanting method
Irrigation
Being long duration crop fennel requires more irrigations than other seed spices
Water stress should be avoided at flowering and seed formation stages

10. Weed Control Critical stage is initial stage as growth of weeds is much faster than the crop. Moreover, fennel is space planted spice and frequent light irrigation favour growth of weeds First weeding and hoeing is done 30days after sowing and second at 60 days after sowing Pre- emergence application of 1kg/ha followed by one hand weeding at 25 days after sowing Harvesting Crop matures in days after sowing 3-4 pickings should be done as the umbels do not mature at the same time The crop is harvested 40 days after pollination for the production of chewing type (Lucknavi) Uprooting of plants and threshing later on should not be done instead cutting by sickles is recommended Harvest when the seeds are fully developed and colour turn to yellow Yield q/ha