Effect of biofertilizers and micronutrients on growth, leaf yield and quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. Sadhana

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2015-16 at Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Anantharajupeta (Andhra Pradesh), India, to study the effect of different biofertilizers and micronutrients on growth, leaf yield and quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. Sadhana. The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized block design with biofertilizers and micronutrients. The biofertilizer treatments were seed inoculation with Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), Azospirillum + Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) and control (without any biofertilizer), while the micronutrient treatments comprised of foliar sprays of Zinc sulphate, Copper sulphate, Ferrous sulphate each at @ 0.5% and control (without any micronutrient). The sixteen treatment combinations were replicated thrice. Among the treatments, seed inoculation with Azospirillum + PSB+ foliar spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.5% recorded maximum plant height, number of primary branches, leaf area, fresh leaf yield per plant, leaf yield per plot, leaf yield per hectare, dry matter production, protein content, ascorbic acid content and moisture content. While, the lowest days to germination and leaf chlorophyll contents were recorded with the seed inoculation of Azospirillum + PSB + foliar spray of ferrous sulphate @ 0.5%.