Coleção: Cumin

Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum. Cumin is a drought tolerant tropical or subtropical crop. It is vulnerable to frost and has a growth season of 120 frost free days. The optimum growth temperature ranges are between 25 and 30 °C (77 and 86 °F). Cultivation of cumin requires a long, hot summer of three to four months. Soaking the seeds for 8 hours before sowing enhances germination. For an optimal plant population, a sowing density of 12–15 kilograms per hectare (11–13 lb/acre) is recommended. Fertile, sandy, loamy soils with good aeration, proper drainage, and high oxygen availability are preferred. The pH optimum of the soil ranges from 6.8 to 8.3. Cumin seedlings are sensitive to salinity and emergence from heavy soils is rather difficult. The relative humidity in the centre of origin of cumin is rather low. High relative humidity (i.e. wet years) favors fungal diseases. Early sown crops exhibit stronger disease effects than late sown crops.