Genetics and Breeding in Nigella

Black cumin or nigella (Nigella sativa L.) is one of the crucial traditional plants and is widely preferred for an array of diseases. However, black cumin is not a widespread plant species, and its distribution is limited to the Middle East and Africa, in general, and very limited knowledge is available for its genetic diversity. Quantification of phenotypic and genotypic diversities is essential to recognize genetic resources with a similar genetic background for conserving, evaluating, and utilizing germplasms before breeding. Seed yield is a quantitative and complex inherited trait that is highly affected by environmental conditions. Improving the seed yield is one of the most important breeding objectives in all crop plants. Instead, direct selection of genotype for seed yield based on highly heritable and genetically linked traits to seed yield may be more efficient. Constructing genetic maps of black cumin facilitates the identification of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the target traits, and marker-assisted selection techniques accelerate the breeding process compared to traditional phenotypic selection. By integrating genetics, genomics, and breeding strategies, researchers can accelerate the development of improved black cumin cultivars with enhanced agronomic traits, nutritional quality, and medicinal properties suited for diverse agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.