MADHESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Rajbiraj , Saptari

Topic :- Cultivation practices of Niger

Co-ordinated By :-

Prepared By :-

Nisha Yadav ( Roll no. 18)

Poonam Yadav (Roll no. 21)

Ritesh Kr. Yadav ( Roll no. 25)

Rohan Mandal ( Roll no. 26)

Dr. Jungjit Critykar

(Assistant professor of Madhesh Agricultural University)

• Niger is an annual oilseed crop belonging to the family Asteraceae (Compositae).
• Its botanical name is Guizotia abyssinica.
• It is commonly known as:-Niger , Niger seed , Sanskrit: रामतिल (Ramatila) , Noug
• In Nepal, it is known by local names such as Jhuse til / Filingo in different regions.
• Niger is particularly important in areas where other major oilseed crops may perform poorly.
• It can be grown with relatively low external inputs and is associated with marginal and sub-marginal land in Nepal.
• It also has value as a bird-feed crop and provides important floral resources for honeybees.

Key point

Chromosome number , 2n = 30

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Introduction

Taxonomic Classification

https://www.feedipedia.org/content/niger-guizotia-abyssinica-flower

https://alliancestarbusinessgroup.com/product/ethiopian-niger-seeds

ORIGIN, DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION

• Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is considered to have originated in Ethiopia, in tropical Africa.

Distribution

Niger is a minor but important traditional oilseed crop of Nepal.

It is cultivated particularly in:- Mid-hill areas , some Terai areas , marginal and sub-marginal lands

• Areas where farmers use relatively low external inputs

For comparison, total oilseed crops covered about 1149 ha, producing 1265 Mt, with an average productivity of 1.10 Mt/ha

Source :-Statistical Information On Nepalese Agriculture 2081/82

https://www.feedipedia.org/content/niger-guizotia-abyssinica-flower

https://alliancestarbusinessgroup.com/product/ethiopian-niger-seeds

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Botanical Description

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• Growth habit: Annual herb
• Plant height: approximately 0.5–1.5 m
• Stem: Erect and branched
• Leaves: Opposite, simple and green
• Flowers: Yellow
• Inflorescence: Capitulum or flower head
• Fruit: Achene
• Seed: Small, black to dark coloured
• Root: Well-developed fibrous root system

FAO describes Niger as an annual herbaceous plant generally reaching 0.5–1.5 m and maturing in approximately 110–120 days under suitable conditions.

Root

• Generally has a tap and branched root system.

Stem

• Erect and branched and green when young.
• Becomes harder as the crop matures.
• Branching contributes to the formation of multiple flower heads.

Leaves

• Niger has simple, opposite, green leaves that are generally lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate in shape, with a serrated margin, pointed apex, short petiole, and reticulate venation.

Flower

• Yellow, composite (capitulum) inflorescence borne singly at the ends of branches. Each head consists of yellow ray florets surrounding numerous yellow disc florets.

Inflorescence

• The inflorescence is a capitulum.

Fruit :- Achene

Seeds :- small and generally dark/black and Smooth, and somewhat angular

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The leaves may be smooth or slightly hairy and are arranged mainly along the stem.

Source :- Image generated by Ai ( Chatgpt)

Nutritional Composition

Source :- Wikipedia.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guizotia_abyssinica

Uses and Economic Importance

1. Edible oil

• Seeds are pressed to obtain edible oil.
• Oil is traditionally used for cooking.

2. Food

• Seeds may be roasted or fried.
• They may be used as a condiment (use to improve flavour, taste, or appearance of food).
• They can also be incorporated into traditional food products.

3. Bird feed

• Niger seed is highly valued in the international bird-feed market.
• It is especially attractive to seed-eating birds.

4. Livestock feed

• Oil extraction produces Niger cake.
• The cake contains substantial protein and can be used as animal feed.

Climate Requirements

Niger can be cultivated under tropical and subtropical conditions.

• Optimum temperature :- 16-20°C
• Temperature above 30 C averse affect the growth and flowering.
• Rainfall :- 1000 -1300 mm per year. Excess rainfall may cause yield loss.
• Altitude :- 500-2500 msl
• Soil type :- Clay loam – Sandy loam. Avoid prolonged waterlogging
• Soil pH :- 5.2-7.3
• Good sunlight is important for growth and seed development.

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Varieties

Jhusae til ( Nepal)

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Early bird ( USA)

JNC-29

JNC – 6

Utkal Niger India

Paiyur – 1

Deomali

Shambhu – 1(Ethopia)

Kuyu ( Ethopia)

Land Preparation

Niger requires fine, well-pulverized and weed-free soil for good seed germination

1–2 ploughings followed by 2–3 harrowings, and the field is leveled to obtain a fine seedbed.

Well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost may be incorporated during land preparation.

Seed And Sowing

• Use pure, healthy and mature seeds.
• Select high-germination and disease-free seeds.
• Use properly stored seeds.
• Treat seed with Azospirillum spp. ( help in root growth and BNF)

Seed Rate :- 3–6 kg seed/ha

Method of Sowing

Broadcasting

• Seed is uniformly scattered over the prepared field.
• Simple and commonly used traditionally.
• Requires careful distribution of seed.

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Line sowing

• Seed is placed in rows.
• Provides better control over:
• Plant population
• Weeding
• Intercultural operations

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Mixed/intercropping

Niger may also be grown mixed with crops such as finger millet in traditional systems.

The sowing time is :-

• Terai:- Shrawan – Bhadra (July–September)

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• Mid-hills:- Jestha – Bhadra (June–September)

Time of Sowing

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Simple recommendation: Apply full P and K + half N as basal, and the remaining half N during early crop growth. Adjust the dose according to soil-test results and local recommendations.

Source :- Agriculture Diary 2082/83

Water Management

Niger is mainly grown under rainfed conditions. Adequate moisture is most important during germination, seedling establishment, flowering and seed filling. Avoid waterlogging because excess water can reduce root activity, increase disease and delay maturity.

Mechanical/Hand Weeding

Weed Management

Chemical Weed Management

Pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence + one hand weeding at 35–40 DAS is a practical integrated approach. In one Niger experiment, this combination produced higher yield than pendimethalin alone.

Maturity and Harvesting

Niger is ready for harvesting when most flower heads have withered, the leaves and heads start turning yellow or brown, and the seeds are fully developed with their mature dark colour. Harvesting should be done promptly at maturity because delaying harvest can cause seed shattering, seed loss, and reduced yield.

Harvesting Method

Niger is generally harvested manually using a sickle. The plants are cut close to the ground when most flower heads have withered and the seeds are mature. The harvested plants are bundled and dried for a few days, then beaten or threshed to separate the seeds. Harvesting should not be delayed because the dry seeds can shatter and fall to the ground, causing yield loss.

Process :- Harvest → Dry → Thresh → Clean → Grade → Dry → Store

FAO recommends drying Niger seed to around 10% moisture or lower before threshing/storage-related handling.

CROPPING SYSTEMS AND INTERCROPPING

Future Prospects in Nepal

Niger has potential because:

• It can grow under relatively low-input conditions.
• It can utilize marginal land.
• It provides edible oil.
• It has bird-feed value.
• Oilcake can provide livestock feed.
• It can support bee forage.
• There is potential for improved varieties.
• It can diversify Nepal's oilseed production.

“Niger may be a minor oilseed crop, but improved production and value addition can make it an important crop for diversified and sustainable agriculture in Nepal.”

THANK YOU