Cultivation : CORIANDER

Coriander Cultivation :
Organic coriander cultivation in India is done in many states such as in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, U.P., etc.

Organic Coriander cultivation in Orissa

Climate & Soil
Coriander requires cool climate during growth stage and warm dry climate at maturity. It can be cultivated in all most all types of soils but well drained loamy soil suits well. It is observed that quality of seed is superior & essential oil content is more when the crop is grown in colder regions & at high altitudes.

Preparation of field
Land should be ploughed 2-3 times followed by planking, to bring the soil to fine tilth. Clods should be broken and stubbles of previous crop should be removed. Before land preparation, pre-sowing irrigation should be given, if optimum moisture for seed germination is not available in the soil.

VARIETIES
The Local Tribal varieties used in Orissa:
SWATI, SADHANA and LAMA

Seed rate and Sowing:
15 to 20 Kg of seed is required for sowing of one-hectare area. Usually coriander is cultivated during Rabi season. The best time for sowing of coriander is 15th October to 15th November. Seed should be rubbed to split into two halves before sowing. While rubbing care should be taken to save the sprouting portion. Timely sowing is beneficial as in early sowing germination is affected on account of excess sunshine and late sowing leads to paltry growth of plants and development of various diseases. Sowing time may be adjusted in frost prone areas so that the frost incidence can be avoided during flowering stage. Sowing should be done in rows at spacing of 30 cm apart.

Manures and fertilizers
15 to 20 MT FYM per hectare should be incorporated in soil at the time of land preparation. Apart from FYM, 650ml Azospirillum, 650ml Phosphate Bactor and 200Kg Ash per hectare should also be applied in the soil as basal dose, in case of rain fed crop.

Irrigation
Generally, 4-6 irrigations are given depending on type of soil and climate. First irrigation should be given within 30-35 days from the date of sowing, second after 50-60 days, third after 70-80 days, fourth after 90-100 days, fifth after 105-110 days and sixth after 115-125 days.

Inter-culture and Weeding:
During early stages of growth, coriander plants grow very slow; hence weeding during this period is very essential to save the plants from weed competition. In rain fed crop, first weeding should be done at about 25-30 days after sowing and in irrigated crop about 40-45 days after sowing. Thinning of plants should be done before first irrigation to maintain a spacing of 5 to 10 cm between plants. Second weeding should be done 50-60 days after sowing, in rain fed crop.

PLANT PROTECTION

PEST

Aphid
Aphid infestation occurs at the time of flowing or after flowering in coriander crop. It sucks the sap from tender parts of the plants resulting in heavy loss. Spraying of Metarhizium anilosporium and Neem oil solution should be done to control this insect. Sowing during last week of October to first week of November can minimize the damage caused by aphid.

Cutworm
It is a caterpillar, brownish in color, which cuts the plants from ground level and makes them to fall down. Infestation of this pest starts at the initial stage of plants resulting in heavy loss to the crop. Beauveria Bassiana should be done while ploughing to prevent the crop from infestation

DISEASES

Wilt disease
The fungus, which causes wilt, affects root system of the plants. To prevent the crop from infection from the fungus, deep ploughing should be done during summer season. Crop rotation may also be followed. In those plots, where effect of this disease has been noticed, coriander crop should not be taken for 2-3 years.

Powdery Mildew
Attack of this disease is seen during cloudy weather condition. White powdery growth appears on the leaves and buds during its primary stage. Seed formation may not take Place in affected plants due to this disease. To control this disease, Trichodema Virridae 3.5 Kg per hectare should be done.

Blight
In this disease dark brown spots appears on the stem and leaves of infected plants. Spraying of Pseudomonas Bactor should be used to control this disease.

Harvesting
This crop matures in about 110 to 140 days. At maturity, seeds turn to yellowish green color. On pressing, mature seeds are medium-hard. After harvest, the crop should be dried under partial shade to retain the green color and its aroma. When the plants are completely dried, thrashing should separate the seeds. Seeds should be cleaned by winnowing or with the help of sieve or by vibrator and graded.

Yield
About 500 to 800 Kg coriander/ ha from rain fed crop and 1200 to 2000 Kg from irrigated crop can be obtained.