Influence of omitting irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and water use efficiency of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.)
A field experiment conducted on the sandy loam soil in New Delhi during the winter season of 2003–2004 indicated that the application of three irrigations at the branching, flowering and seed formation stages gave the maximum values of growth and yield attributes (plant height and branches plant −1 , umbels plant −1 , umbellets umbel −1 and seeds umbel −1 ) with the highest seed and stover yields, but was at par with omitting one irrigation at the seed formation stage. The data on the growth and yield indicated that, compared to the other stages, omitting irrigation at the flowering strage resulted in the greatest reduction. The growth and yield attributes and the seed and stover yield of coriander significantly responded to fertilization up to 80 kg N ha −1 . The crop evapotranspiration was the highest with the application of three irrigations, but the water use efficiency remained the highest when irrigation was omitted at the seed formation stage. Nitrogen fertilization up to 120 kg and 80 kg N ha −1 increased the water use and water use efficiency, respectively.