Performance evaluation of leaf coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)Types in the plains of kerala

Abstract

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), belongs to the family Apiaceae, is an important annual spice herb, mainly cultivated for its fruits as well as for its tender green leaves. Recent understanding of the neutraceutical and medicinal properties of the leaves elevated the status of this herb. The present study entitled ‘Performance evaluation of leaf coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) types in the plains of Kerala’ was conducted in the Department of Plantation crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during October 2015 to March 2017 with the objectives of evaluating five coriander varieties namely CO-1, CO-2, CO-3, CO (Cr-4) and Arka Isha in the rain shelter during different time of sowing viz., April-June 2016 (season S1), July to September 2016 (S2), October-December (S3) and January-March 2017 (S4) and in different growing conditions viz. rain shelter and open field for their growth, herbage yield and quality. The study reported that all the varieties showed difference with respect to the growth and herbage yield. Irrespective of time of sowing, the varieties CO (Cr-4) followed by CO-2, CO-3 and CO-1, recorded the lowest number of days to seed germination, first leaf, second leaf and third leaf emergence whereas, Arka Isha took more number of days for these parameters. The varieties Arka Isha and CO (Cr-4) yielded highest mean number of leaves in all the time of sowing (16.30 and 15.69). Generally, the crop grown during July-September (S2) exhibited maximum number of leaves (16.36) at harvest. Irrespective of time of sowing, the variety Arka Isha performed better with respect to the mean herbage and biomass yield per plant with highest yield during July-September (S2) and the lowest during January-March (S4). The variety CO (Cr-4) was the earliest to show serration of leaves in all the four time of sowing (37.43 days), flowering (40.19 days) and seed set (47.69 days). Whereas, the variety Arka Isha showed delay in leaf serration (49.29 days), flowering 158 (54.05 days), and seed set (63.27 days). The quality aspects like vitamin C and total chlorophyll were observed highest in Arka Isha (158.98 mg/100g and 2.20 mg/100g, respectively). With respect to the total chlorophyll, July-September (S2) sown crop (2.27 mg/100g) was superior. However, volatile oil content (0.05 per cent -0.06 per cent) was not affected by time of sowing. When grown in different growing conditions, the crops under rain shelter took significantly more days for germination (9.73 days), first leaf (12.49 days), second leaf (14.72 days) and third leaf (16.68 days) emergence, days to leaf serration (44.44 days), flowering (48.94 days) and seed set (58.80 days) compared to that in the open field. Also, the crop grown under rain shelter exhibited higher number of leaves at harvest (14.18), herbage and biomass yield (9.21g/plant and 12.78g/plant). In both the growing conditions, Arka Isha and CO-1 yielded more herbage (10.46g/plant and.8.97g/plant, respectively). The quality aspects like vitamin C and total chlorophyll (189.72 mg and 1.98mg) was found higher in the open field. The result indicated that July-September (S2) sowing was beneficial in the plains of Kerala to get favourable growth and herbage yield. The varieties Arka Isha followed by CO-1 gave maximum herbage yield. The rain shelter grown crops performed better than that in the open field for growth and herbage yield. However, vitamin C and total chlorophyll was higher in open field. The volatile oil was not affected by time of sowing and growing conditions.