The article presents a comprehensive assessment of the varieties of and under the agro-climatic conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region. The experimental work was carried out in 2019-2021 on the experimental field of FSBRI the Penza Research Institute of Agriculture. Climatic conditions during the years of study of Nigella were characterized as dry. The hydrothermal coefficient ranged from 0.67 in 2019 to 0.92 units in 2021. The duration of the growing season of nigella averaged 98-113 days. The number of capsules per plant and the seed weight per plant had the greatest influence on the formation of the seed yield of nigella, the share of influence of which was 27.6 and 29.2%. The productivity indicators of one plant were in the range of 1.36-2.32 g, and the variability of this trait was 33.4%. The highest weight of seeds from one plant 2.23 and 2.32 g was noted in the Iskra and Chernyi Barkhat varieties. The 1000 seed weight varied from 2.58 (Diva) to 3.53 g (Iskra). The highest yield in the conditions of the Penza oblast was noted in the varieties Vitol'dina, Yalita, and Znakharka, the yield of which was 1.22‒1.25 t/ha. The average oil content in Nigella seeds was 38.89%. According to the fat content, the varieties Yalita and Vitol'dina stood out; their oil content was 41.82 and 40.95%. The varieties Yalita, Znakharka, and Krymchanka were characterized by the greatest stability over the years, and the value of the variety stability indicator (VSI) for them was 1.41-1.45. In the composition of the oil, the largest share was linoleic and oleic acids, the content of which reached 47.98-64.27 and 16.91-29.52%. In addition, the fatty acid composition of nigella contained two more saturated fatty acids: lauric and capric. Their content was 0.18-0.46 and 0.04-2.30%, respectively.