Niger Seed
Guizotia abyssinica
Inga Seed, Blackseed,
Guizotia Oléifere (French); Gingellikraut (German); Alashi (Oriya);
Hechellu (Kannada); Karale (Marathi); Neehoog/Neuk (Tigrinya); Noug (Amharic);
Payellu (Tamil); Ramtil (Hindi and Panjabi); Sarguza (Bengali); Sorguja (Assamese)
Niger seed originated in Ethiopia, where it is now mainly cultivated, on
approximately 250,000 Ha. It is also grown in marginal areas in India, and to some
extent in East Africa and the West Indies. It is the most important edible oil crop in
Ethiopia, supplying about half of their oilseed production.
It is a member of the Asteraceae (alt Compositeae) family. It is a short-day plant,
an annual, 1–3 m tall (up to 15 m), which is frost tolerant, drought resistant and
adapted to a wide range of soils. There are three main types: dwarf, semi-dwarf and
giant.
It is propagated by seed, which is about 3.5–5 mm long, contains 30–50% of a
yellow semi-drying oil with a pleasant taste, and a protein content of about 20%.
The oil from Ethiopian crops contains about 70% linoleic acid, while oil from crops
grown in India contains about 50%.
For farmers, it is much kinder plant to grow than safflower, as the plants do not
have spines, and harvesting could be mechanised. More research is needed on this
potentially useful source of edible plant oil.
Detailed information is available online from the publications department of the
Plant Genetic Resources Institute.
PLANTING
Propagation: Niger is self-sterile and needs bees for cross-pollination.
Soil: Niger seed grows well in poor soils, if they are neither very acidic (it is
classified as “sensitive” to soil acidity) nor waterlogged. Ph range 5.5–7.5. In fertile
soils the plants may lodge (fall over) and have a prolonged growth period. It is not
normally fertilised though it does normally respond to both fertilisers and manure.
Seed spacing: normally broadcast, sometimes in rows 35-50 cm apart.
Depth: covered with light harrows when broadcast, otherwise about 1 cm deep in a
fine tilth.
Germination: the seed can be stored for a year or more without losing much
viability.
Intercropping: commonly done, with finger millet (ragi), cereals, legumes and
other annuals.
Rotation: works well with wheat and/or maize.
GROWTH CONDITIONS
Day length: intermediate response, varies with type, but most are short-day (do not
flower or set seed until daylight hours average 13 hours or less).
196 TONY WINCH
NPK fertiliser is often broadcast together with the seed, then harrowed into the soil).
Seed rate: 5–8 kg/ha in rows 440–5°C m apart, 8–12 kg/ha when broadcast (when