Coriandrum sativum, Apiaceae
Coriander is an annual herb plant used as a spice in kitchen. It is mostly grown for its fruit and green leaves to provide flavor in dishes. Dry seeds of coriander contain essential oils which are used in confectionary, to mask offensive odours in pharmaceutical industry and for flavoring liquors. Green leaves are good source of Vitamin C and are used for making chutney, soups and sauces etc. Coriander also has good medicinal value. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are major producers of Coriander in India.
Climate
Coriander performs well at a temperature range of 20 – 25 °C. It requires rainfall of 75-100mm for its growth
Soil
It can grow in all types of soil but well drained loamy soils are suitable for good growth. pH range of soil should be 8-10.
Varieties and hybrids
Local: Its average height is about 60 cm. Its flowers are of white color and fruits are of light green to yellowish color. Ready to harvest in 175-180 days. Gives average yield of 3.5qtl/acre.
Punjab Sugandh: Variety having green leaves of medium size with excellent aroma. It gives four cutting of green leaves. It gives average yield of 150qtl/acre for green leaves and 3.5qtl/acre of seed yield.
Other state varieties:
GC 1: Grains are of medium size, round and yellow colored. Ready to harvest in 112 days. It is tolerant to wilt and powdery mildew. Gives average yield of 4.5qtl/acre.
GC 2: Tall and semi-spreading variety with medium size grains. It is tolerant to wilt and powdery mildew. Gives average yield of 5.8qtl/acre
CO 1: Dwarf variety with small size brown grains. Ready to harvest in 100-120 days. Gives average yield of 2qtl/acre.
CO 2: Medium size yellowish brown grains, Ready to harvest in 90-100 days. Gives average yield of 2.08qtl/acre.
Land Preparation
Land should be prepared well by giving 2-3 deep ploughing followed by planking to make uniform and leveled beds. Before last ploughing, add 40qtl/acre of well decomposed cow dung in soil.
Time of sowing
For vegetable purpose, optimum time for sowing is first week of October and when grown for seed purpose, complete sowing in last week of October to first week of November.
Spacing
Keep row to row distance of 30 cm and plant to plant spacing of 15 cm.
Sowing Depth
Depth of soil should not more than 3 cm.
Method of sowing
Use Pora method for sowing.
Seed Rate
For sowing one hactare land in Irrigated condition it requires 10-12kg and for Rainfed it requires 20-25kg of seeds.
Seed Treatment
For quick germination, before sowing crushed, break seeds into 2 parts. Before sowing, soak seeds in water for 8-12 hr. To prevent crop from wilt , root rot and damping off disease, treat seeds with Trichoderma viride/ Pseudomonas fluorescens @4gm/kg of the seeds before sowing.
Manures and fertilizers
Apply Nitrogen@40kg in the form of Urea@90kg/acre in three splits. Apply half at the time of sowing and remaining in two equal splits after first and second cutting of leaves. When crop is grown for seed purpose, apply Nitrogen@30kg/acre i.e 65kg/acre in two doses, half at sowing time and remaining at time of flower initiation.
To attain fast growth 15-20 days after germination take spray of Triacontanol hormone@20ml/10Ltr. Also one spray of N:P:K(19:19:19) fertilizer@75gm/15Ltr of water at 20 days of sowing helps in good and faster growth of crop.
Weed management
At initial growth stage of coriander, weed is a serious problem. Take one or two weeding operations to keep field weed free. Take first weeding 4week after sowing and second 5-6week after sowing.
Irrigation
Irrigation should be given according to soil moisture present in the soil. First irrigation should be given immediately after sowing of seeds. Subsequent irrigations should be given at 10 to 12days interval.
Harvesting
When crop attained 20-25 cm height harvesting for green leaves can be started. Three to four cutting can be taken. When crop is grown for seed purpose, it is ready for harvesting in April month. Harvest when capsule gets matures but having green color. Over ripe capsule fetch lower price.
Yield
Rainfed grain – 300-400kg/ha
Irrigated gain -500-600kg/ha
leaf yield -6-7 t/ha