Env Exp Biol (2012) 10: 113–116

Effects of salicylic acid levels and irrigation intervals on growth and yield of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) in field conditions

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is known as a signaling molecule that is involved in plant resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid application and irrigation intervals on growth and yield of coriander using a split-plot layout in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Two levels of irrigation including irrigation every 4^th day (a1) and irrigation every 8^th day (a2) were compared in main plots. Four levels of salicylic (SA) were assigned in sub-plots at 0 (distilled water), 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM SA (as b1, b2, b3 and b4, respectively). Results showed that the reduction of irrigation interval from 8 to 4 days statistically improved plant height, seed yield and plant biomass. Application of SA significantly affected seed yield and plant biomass. The highest rate of seed yield was obtained at 0.01 mM SA and the other levels of SA were placed in a class. The interaction effect of SA × irrigation on seed yield was significant. The greatest amount of seed yield was produced by a1b2 treatment (every four days irrigation with 0.01 mM application of SA).