Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is one of the medicinal plants of Ranunculaceae family. Its seeds are containing oils, proteins, alkaloids (such as nigellicine and nigellidine), quinines (such as thymoquinone), sapiens and essential oil. Genetic diversity is important in breeding programs, so that selection depends on the existence of genetic diversity in traits. Therefore, an investigation was carried out to select the most successful Black cumin ecotype (s) and to assess the genetic diversity according to the morphological and agronomical traits in some of black cumin ecotypes at two locations based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications (in the research filed of Mohaghegh Ardabili University and Khalkhal city). The results of analysis of variance showed significant differences among studied traits in both locations, wich indicates the existance of genetic variation between ecotypes and the difference in location effect on yield and morphological traits of black cumin ecotypes. According to the results of correlation analysis, it can be concluded that the biological yield, leaf number, number of stem branches and number of flowers and follicle were the most important and effective traits affecting yield and considering that among genotypes, the biggest diversity were observed for these traits, therefore, selecting and breeding for these traits can ideally improve the grain yield. Comparison of means of grain yield showed that Karaj, Ardabil 1, Takestan, Hamadan, Lordegan ecotypes were superior to other ecotypes in both locations.

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Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, is one of the most important medicinal plants and wild and cultivated forms of this plant is used in Iran. Genetic diversity of 27 accessions of N .Sativa L. from different places of Iran was characterized by morphological characteristics and data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. ANOVA revealed high significant differences among the accessions based on all of the measured characteristics. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were high for most traits indicating high diversity of the studied traits. Correlation coefficients among traits showed that plant height had significantly positive correlation with all traits. Principal component analysis indicated that the first two principal components with eigenvalues more than 1 explained 83/35% of the variability among the accessions. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance, divided the accessions into four major groups. Considering the grouping, there was no relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distance of the accessions. The results suggested that there is a considerable genetic variation among N. sativa L. accessions.