Abstract
The field experiments were conducted during two seasons to find out the role of micronutrients on growth, seed yield and quality in coriander cv. CO4. The soil of the experimental site was calcareous. Micronutrient deficiencies are common in soils that have a high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) due to reduced solubility at alkaline pH values. Micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) were applied in their sulphate form (FeSO4, ZnSO4, CuSO4 and MnSO4, respectively). The effect of both soil application (25 kg/ha) and foliar spray (0.5%) of micronutrients at 30 and 45 days after sowing were studied individually. Foliar spray of 0.5% FeSO4 induced the highest growth rates in terms of net assimilation rate (0.085 mg g-1day-1in rabi and 0.063 mg g-1day-1 in kharif) and crop growth rate (7.52 mg m-2 day-1in rabi and 7.78 mg m-2 day-1in kharif). Maximum number of umbels per plant (33.7 in rabi and 13.8 in kharif) and highest seed yield per hectare (623.3 kg in rabi and 599.9 kg in kharif) were observed for the foliar application of 0.5% FeSO4 if compared to other treatments. Foliar application of iron and zinc exhibited significant effect on resultant seed quality parameters. The study revealed the need for application of micronutrients in maximum realization of yield and quality of the coriander seed crop in calcareous soils. Key words: Coriander, foliar spray, growth, iron, micronutrients, quality, seed yield, zinc.
Highlights
The seed spices constitute an important group of agricultural commodities
The effects of micronutrient foliar fertilizer on the promotion of growth and production of some medicinal and aromatic plants were observed by several researchers (Nasiri et al, 2010; Joynul et al, 2012; Mazaheri et al, 2013)
Micronutrients played a vital role in the growth and development of coriander cv
Summary
Coriander is the most important spice crop with multipurpose utility. For adequate plant growth and production, micronutrients are needed in small quantities; their deficiencies cause a great disturbance in the physiological and metabolic processes in the plant. Micronutrients application plays an important role in the production of good quality and high yield of crops (Amjad et al, 2014). Application of micronutrients significantly influenced the number of branches, umbels per plant, seeds per umbel and seed yield of coriander (Kalidasu et al, 2008). Zinc, Manganese and Copper deficiencies are common in soils that have a high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) due to reduced solubility at alkaline pH values. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of micronutrients in the improvement of seed yield and quality of coriander cv.CO4
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