Seed Spices
Cumin, Coriander, Fenugreek, Fennel
Taxonomic and Basic Information
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Common Name Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Comino seed, Kammun, Dhania, Cilantro, Chinese Sweet fennel, Bitter fennel,
Synonyms Methi, Vendhayam
Jira, Zeera parsley Wild fennel, Saunf
Botanical Name Cuminum cyminum L. Coriandrum sativum L. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Mediterranean region
Mediterranean region and Southern Europe, Northern Mediterranean region and West
Centre of Origin (Southern Europe &
Western Asia Africa & Southwestern Asia Asia
Western Asia)
Chromosome
2n = 14 2n = 22 2n = 16 2n = 22
Number
Mode of Seed (also vegetative by
Seed Seed Seed
Propagation root/crown division)
Pollinating Agent Insects Bees, flies and other insects Self-pollinated flowers Insects
Predominantly self-
Mode of
pollinated with some Cross-pollinated Self-pollinated Cross-pollinated
Pollination
cross-pollination
Edible Parts Dried seeds Leaves, stems and seeds Leaves and seeds Seeds
Anti-nutritional Tannins, flavonoids,
Phytic acid, coumarin, oxalates Saponins, alkaloids Estragole, fenchone
Compounds saponins
Leading
Producing India India India India
Country
Major Producing Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya
States in India Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Pradesh Nadu, Assam, Odisha Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh West Bengal
Nature of Crop Annual seed spice Annual herb and seed spice Annual leguminous seed spice Annual aromatic seed spice
Area, Production and Productivity
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Leading
India India India India
Producer
Largest producer, consumer 80–90% of world
Global Share ~70% of world production >60% of world production
and exporter production
Area under
Cultivation 11.45 lakh ha-1 6.04 lakh ha-1 1.4–2.0 lakh ha-1 2.0–4.0 lakh ha-1
(India)
Annual
Production 7.73 lakh tonnes 9.48 lakh tonnes 2.2–3.1 lakh tonnes 3.5–4.0 lakh tonnes
(India)
Average
676 kg ha-1 1,414 kg ha-1 1,000–1,500 kg ha-1 1,500–2,800 kg ha-1
Productivity
Major Producing Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Gujarat Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
States Gujarat Rajasthan, Gujarat
India contributes nearly 99% of Major export-oriented spice Highest productivity among these
Third most important
Remarks national production from crop; cultivated for leaves four crops due to improved varieties
seed spice crop in India
Rajasthan and Gujarat and seeds and irrigation
Importance
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Primary
Economic Dried seeds Fresh leaves and dried seeds Leaves and seeds Seeds
Product
Fresh leaves for garnish,
Spice in curries, soups, Fresh leaves as leafy vegetable; Spice in curries, sweets, bakery
Major Culinary chutneys and salads; seeds used
pickles, spice blends and seeds used in curry powder, products, pickles, mouth
Uses in curry powder, pickles and
seasoning pickles and spice mixes fresheners and beverages
spice blends
Anti-diabetic, digestive
Digestive, carminative, Digestive aid, carminative,
Digestive aid, antioxidant, stimulant, lactation promoter,
Medicinal Uses antimicrobial, antioxidant, antioxidant, expectorant and
antimicrobial, carminative cholesterol-lowering, anti-
anti-inflammatory mild antispasmodic
inflammatory
Seeds contain saponins and Essential oil rich in trans-
Cuminaldehyde-rich essential Coriander essential oil used in
Essential bioactive compounds; used in anethole and fenchone used in
oil and oleoresin used in food flavouring, perfumery and
Oil/Oleoresin nutraceutical and flavour, cosmetics and
and pharmaceutical industries pharmaceutical preparations
pharmaceutical industries pharmaceuticals
Rich in vitamins A & C
Nutritional Rich in iron, essential oils Rich source of protein, fibre, Rich in dietary fibre, calcium,
(leaves), minerals and essential
Importance and antioxidants iron, vitamins and minerals potassium and essential oils
oils
Essential oil extraction,
Food processing, spice Pharmaceutical preparations,
Food industry, flavouring confectionery, bakery,
Industrial Uses blends, essential oil and herbal medicines, functional
agents, essential oil extraction toothpaste, cosmetics and
oleoresin extraction foods and nutraceuticals
perfumery
Export Major export-oriented seed Important export spice and Exported as seed spice and High export demand due to
Potential spice herb medicinal crop aroma and essential oil content
Role in Used in Ayurveda for Used in Ayurveda for diabetes, Used in Ayurveda for digestive
Widely used in Ayurveda for
Traditional indigestion and appetite lactation, digestion and general disorders, cough and respiratory
digestive disorders
Medicine stimulation health ailments
Leguminous crop suitable for Adapted to semi-arid
Agricultural High-value cash crop suitable Short-duration crop suitable for
crop rotation and soil conditions; profitable seed spice
Importance for arid and semi-arid regions multiple cropping systems
improvement crop
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Coriander powder, essential Mouth fresheners, fennel tea,
Value-added Ground cumin, spice blends, Kasuri methi, dried leaves, seed
oil, dried leaves (cilantro fennel oil, flavoured
Products cumin oil, oleoresin powder, herbal supplements
flakes) confectionery, spice powder
Climatic and Soil Requirements
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Tropical and subtropical; Cool to moderately cool
Climate Cool, dry and frost-free climate Mild cool, semi-arid climate
cool, dry climate climate
Optimum
Temperature 9–26 20–25 15–25 15–25
(°C)
Rainfall Low to moderate; dry weather Moderate rainfall; dry weather Moderate rainfall during
Moderate rainfall
Requirement preferred during flowering vegetative growth
Low humidity preferred; high Low to moderate humidity;
High humidity during flowering Excess humidity at
Humidity humidity causes fungal excessive humidity increases
reduces seed quality maturity causes mould
diseases fungal diseases
Sensitive to frost, especially
Frost Tolerance Frost-free conditions preferred Severe frost is harmful Sensitive to hard frost
during flowering
Light Moderate to long day
Full sunlight Full sunlight Full sunlight
Requirement conditions
Long bright days favour seed Moderate day length; high Responds to day length; Long bright days promote better
Photoperiod
development temperature induces bolting optimum under cool days seed development
Rabi (seed crop); year-round for Rabi (Kharif in South
Suitable Season Rabi Rabi
leaves India)
Well-drained loam or silt loam; Well-drained loam, sandy loam
Suitable Soil Well-drained loam, silt
Sandy loam to loam black cotton soils under rainfed or black soil rich in organic
Type loam or sandy loam
conditions matter
Soil Texture Loose, friable Loam to clay loam Loam to sandy loam Loam to sandy loam
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Ideal Soil pH 6.8–8.3 6.0–8.0 6.0–8.0 6.5–8.0
Organic Matter Moderate; FYM/compost Moderate fertility with Rich in organic matter; FYM
High organic matter preferred
Requirement beneficial FYM/compost recommended
Excellent drainage essential; Well-drained soil; Good drainage essential;
Drainage Good drainage essential
waterlogging is harmful waterlogging harmful waterlogging reduces seed quality
Frost, moisture stress, Frost, excessive heat, rainfall
Major Climatic Frost, rainfall during Heat-induced bolting, high
heavy rainfall during during flowering and seed
Hazards flowering, high humidity humidity during flowering
flowering maturity
Major Cultivation Practices
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Rabi (seed), year-round for Rabi (Kharif in South
Season Rabi Rabi
leaves India)
October–November (seed Last week of October– October–November (May–
Time of Sowing October–December
crop) First week of November June in hills)
Method of Direct sowing (broadcasting/line Direct sowing after splitting Broadcasting or line
Direct sowing or transplanting
Sowing sowing) seeds sowing
4–5 ploughings, fine
Land Fine tilth with 2–4 ploughings, fine tilth with
Fine tilth with FYM incorporation seedbed, FYM
Preparation compost/FYM FYM
incorporation
Seed Rate 9–12 (direct); 3–4
12–15 6–8 (seed); 10–15 (leaf) 20–30 (Kasuri: 8–10)
(kg/ha) (transplanting)
Trichoderma 10 g/kg or Bavistin/Thiram @ 2 g/kg Generally healthy seed;
Thiram @ 2 g/kg; soak seed
Seed Treatment Thiram/Carbendazim 2.5 g/kg; or Trichoderma @ 6 g/kg; nursery seedlings when
12–24 h; split seeds
Azospirillum/Azotobacter inoculation Rhizobium inoculation transplanted
60 × 30 cm (transplanting);
Spacing 25–30 cm × 8-10 cm 30 × 10–15 cm 25–30 cm × 10 cm 30–45 cm × 30 cm (direct
sowing)
Particulars Cumin Coriander Fenugreek Fennel
Seed Depth 1.5 cm 2–3 cm 3–4 cm 2–3 cm
FYM (t/ha) 10 10 10 10
Fertilizer Dose
45:20:20 (15:20:20 basal + 30 kg N 20:40:20 (10 kg N top 40:30–40:20 (no top 50–90:25–50:30–60 (soil-test
(kg/ha
top dressing) dressing in irrigated crop) dressing generally) based)
N:P₂O₅:K₂O)
10 kg N at 30 DAS
Top Dressing 30 kg N at 30 DAS Generally not required As per recommendation
(irrigated crop)
Light irrigation at germination, First irrigation after Irrigate during germination,
First irrigation after sowing;
Irrigation flowering and seed filling; avoid sowing; drip at 4-day flowering and seed filling;
thereafter every 7–10 days
flowering irrigation interval beneficial avoid waterlogging
Two weedings at 30 & 60 Manual weeding;
Weed Hoeing/interculture; herbicides if
Hand weeding/interculture DAS; Fluchloralin 0.75– Pendimethalin pre-emergence
Management required
1.0 kg/ha if needed
Wilt, blight, powdery mildew, Wilt, stem gall, blight, grain Powdery mildew, root rot, Seed rot, damping-off, fungal
Major Diseases
Sclerotinia blight mould damping-off diseases
Aphids, cutworms, leaf
Major Pests Aphids Aphids, cutworms Aphids, flower-feeding insects
miners
Harvesting Leaves at 20–25 cm; seeds Pods dry and yellow- Seeds become yellowish-green
Seeds turn brown; plants dry
Stage when umbels turn brown brown and mature
120–150 days (variety
Crop Duration 90–120 days 90–110 days About 150–180 days
dependent)
Average Seed
5–8 q/ha (improved: 8–10 q/ha) 6–7 q/ha 10–15 q/ha 15–28 q/ha
Yield
Drying to 7–8% moisture; cleaning Drying, threshing, grading, Drying (<10–12% Drying (10–12% moisture),
Post-harvest
and grading storage moisture), grading, storage cleaning, grading and storage
Important Varieties
Crop Improved Varieties Important Characteristics
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum
GC-1, GC-2, GC-3, GC-4, GC-5 Gujarat series; high yielding; tolerant to wilt, blight and powdery mildew
L.)
RZ-19, RZ-209, RZ-223 Popular Rajasthan varieties with good adaptation
S-404 High yielding variety
MC-43 Good seed quality and yield
CZC-94 Improved variety with better essential oil content
Coriander (Coriandrum
CO-1 Dual purpose (leaf & seed); 110 days; 500 kg/ha yield
sativum L.)
CO-2 High yielding, drought tolerant, 600–700 kg/ha
CO-3 Good oil content (0.38–0.41%); dual purpose
CS-287 Dual purpose; less susceptible to wilt and grain mould
Karan Tolerant to wilt and stem gall
Kumbhraj Popular variety with disease tolerance
Hisar Fragrance Aromatic; suitable for leaf and seed
RCr-41, RCr-446, RCr-435 Rajasthan improved varieties
Sadhana (CS-4) Bushy, dual purpose, resistant to aphids and mites
Sindhu (CS-2) Suitable for fresh leaves and seed
Sudha (LCC-128) High yielding under rainfed conditions
Swathi (CS-6), APHU Dhania-1 (LCC-
170), Suguna (LCC-236), Suruchi Improved regional cultivars
(LCC-234), Susthira (LCC-219)
Fenugreek (Trigonella
Lam Selection-1 Tolerant to powdery mildew, root rot, caterpillars and aphids
foenum-graecum L.)
Pusa Early Bunching Resistant to downy mildew and root rot
Rajendra Kanti Suitable for intercropping; tolerant to leaf spot
Hisar Sonali Moderately tolerant to root rot and aphids
CO-1 Dual purpose; tolerant to root rot
RMt-1 Moderately resistant to root rot and powdery mildew
Crop Improved Varieties Important Characteristics
RMt-143 Matures in 140–150 days; moderately resistant to powdery mildew
AFg-1, AFg-2, AFg-3, AFg-4, RMt-
Rajasthan improved varieties
303
GM-1, GM-2 Gujarat varieties
Hisar Suvarna, Hisar Mukta, Hisar
Haryana improved varieties
Madhavi
Pant Ragini, Pusa Kasuri Popular North Indian varieties
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare
RF-101 Popular high-yielding seed variety
Mill.)
CO-1 Released improved variety
UF-32 Improved cultivar
PF-35 Popular commercial variety
Gujarat Fennel-1 Adapted to Gujarat conditions
Hisar Swarup Regional improved variety
Rajendra Saurabha High yielding with good adaptation
Pant Madhurika Improved variety for North Indian conditions