Effect of irrigation and nutrient levels on growth and yield of coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out on sandy loam soil at Morena during winter season of 2006-07 and 2007-08 to study the effect of irrigation schedules and nutrient levels (% recommended NPK fertilization) on growth, yield, quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). Irrigation at 20, 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) maintained higher urnbletslplant, urnbellplant, 1,000-seed weight, production efficiency, nutrient use and N, P, K and S uptake. Maximum seed yield (1.96 tonnelha), biomass production (4.66 tonneslha), net returns (Rs.86,815/ha) and B:C ra- tio (8.1 9) were also recorded under 3 irrigations, which resulted in 38.31 % and 3.93% increase in seed yield over 2 (20 and 40 DAS) and 4 (20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS) irrigation respectively. The application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (60:17.6:16.6:30 kg N: P: K: Slha) registered significantly higher yield attributes, water use efficiency, production efficiency, N: P: K and S uptake and 20.65% and 12.04% increased in seed yield over 50% and 75% RDF respectively. The: interaction effect of irrigation and fertility levels on seed yield was also found sig- nificant and positive. The maximum yield (2.09 tonnelha) was recorded with the combined application of 3 irriga- tions and 100% RDF followed by three irrigation and 125% RDF (2.02 tonnelha).