Effect of Selected Growth Stimulators on the Yield of Cilantro

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in Citra, Fla., to determine the effect of acetylthioproline (AP, 250 mg·L -1 ), gibberellic acid (GA 3 , 50 mg·L -1 ), triterpenic acid (TTA, 300 mg·L -1 ), a commercial glycine-rich complex of free amino acids and short-chain peptides (ACP, 1500 mg·L -1 ), and two commercial cytokinin-rich seaweed extracts (CST and CTR, both at 30 mg·L -1 ) on the yield of cilantro ( Coriandrum sativum ). Aqueous solutions of the AP, ACP, GA3, CST, CTR, and TTA were sprayed on the leaves of cilantro at 15 and 30 days after crop emergence (DAE). Fresh and dry cilantro shoot yields were determined after harvest (60 DAE). No toxicity was apparent from the treatments. For any given treatment, fresh and dry shoot yields were positively correlated. TTA did not significantly affect cilantro yield. GA 3 , AP, and ACP increased fresh cilantro yield by 23%, 19%, and 16%, respectively, as compared to control plants. When CST or CTR were applied, fresh cilantro yield was 12% higher than in control plants.