CAN APPLICATION OF NITROGEN FERTILIZERS AND SALICYLIC ACID IMPROVE GROWTH AND FRUIT YIELD OF CORIANDER UNDER WATER DEFICIT?

Abstract

To investigate the changes in selected morphological traits and yield of coriander (Coriandrum sati- vum L.) in response to fertilization and salicylic acid foliar spraying under different irrigation intervals, two field experiments were conducted as split-factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2014 and 2015. Treatments were three irrigation intervals (irrigation after 60, 90 and 120 mm evaporation from class A pan) and combination of fertilization (control, urea 100 kg ha–1, Nitrokara (bio-fertilizer), and 50% urea + Nitrokara) and salicylic acid (0 and 1 mM) that were allocated to the main and sub-plots, respectively. The results showed that plant height, length of the longest internode, stem diameter, branches per plant, dry weights of roots and leaves and fruit yield of coriander were reduced and root length enhanced with increasing the irrigation intervals. However, all of the nitrogen fertilizers, especially combined application of 50% urea and Nitrokara, and salicylic acid spraying, improved the selected morphological traits, and consequently fruit yield per unit area under favorable and limited irrigations.