P. K. Jagtap*, P.B. Sandipan and M.C. Patel
Niger Research Station, N.A.U., Vanarasi-396580 (Gujarat)
Email: pacific7@rediffmail.com
Abstracts: Niger is the most important oilseed crop in Ethiopia and a minor crop in India that has been cultivated for approximately 5000 years which is not involved in the world wide oilseed trade. India is considered to be the chief niger producing country in the world with an area of 5 lakh hectares. It is cultivated mainly in the states of Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and to some extent in hilly areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Assam, and also in some parts of North Eastern Hills states of the Country. Niger seed belongs to the same botanical family as sunflower and safflower (Compositae). There are six species of Guizotia with G. abyssinica being the only the cultivated species It is a dicotyledonous herb, moderately to well branched, and grows up to 2 meter in height. The crop grows best on poorly drained, heavy clay soils without much more irrigation.
Keywords: Tribal, oil, health, fatty acid, Niger
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