Anthocyanin content of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves as affected by salicylic acid and nutrients application

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of salicylic acid and some important macro and micro elements on anthocyanin content of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves as antioxidant, at the experimental field of Gorgan University, Golestan, Iran, in 2007. Based on the soil analysis nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc fertilizers were added to the experimental field with 75, 45,170 and 30 kg/ha, respectively. Salicylic acid at the rate of 10 -4 molar, iron, magnesium, molybdenum and boron in a rate of 2-3 g/L were sprayed on foliage part two times at 40 th and 47 th days after sowing. Other plots were sprayed with distilled water. Results showed that application of zinc and nitrogen significantly increased and decreased anthocyanin content in coriander leaves as compared with control and led to the highest and the lowest rates of anthocyanin, respectively. Also other treatments did not show significant difference than control but phosphorus and potassium had negative effect on anthocyanin content, while other treatments increased it insignificantly.