Coriander is an annual herb native to Mediterranean areas that has been cultivated since ancient times by Indians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It produces spherical, ribbed fruits called cremocarps which are used as a spice. Coriander is widely grown around the world including in Russia, India, Morocco and the USA. It grows best in loamy or silt loamy soil and is propagated through seeding. The seeds are sown directly with spacing between plants and irrigation provided weekly. Coriander is harvested between November to March and yields 2-3 tons per acre. The fruits are used for their medicinal properties and stimulating digestion while the leaves are used as a condiment.

1. Coriander
Coriandrum sativum L.

2. Classification
• English Name:
Coriander
• Botanical Name:
Coriandrum sativum L.
• Family:
Umbelliferae

3. Origin
• Native to Mediterranean areas.
• It is mentioned in its ancient record of
Indians
Egyptians
Greeks
Romans

4. General Description
Annual herb with umble shaped inflorescence.
Fruit forms the spice.
Coriander fruit is called cremocarp.
Fruit is developed from flower arranged in
compound umble.
Fruit may be classified as 2 seeded capsule because
fruit doesn’t split readily. It has a spherical,
globular shape.
Its surface is marked by an alternation of straight
and longitudinal ribs called costy.

5. • Areas widely grown
– Russia
– India
– Morocco
– Poland
– Argentina
– USA
• Soil Requirement
– Almost of in all types of soils can be grown but rich
loamy and silt loamy are best.
– FYM 24 tons per acre is enough for commercial
production.

6. • Propagation
– By seed.
• Seed Rate
– 8-10 kg/acre.
• Transplanting
– Very delicate so don’t tolerate transplanting.
• Spacing
– B-B distance 60-70 cm
– R-R distance 40-45 cm
– P-P distance 2-3 cm

7. Sowing of Coriander
– If sown on ridges, 1-2 irrigations should reach to
lower surface of seed to moist.
– Bed size should be normal for easy handling.
– In rainy areas, ridge method is adopted to avoid
rottening of seeds.
– In less rainy areas, beds are preferred.
– This crop is sown like spinach crop.

8. • Sowing time
– Plains Beginning of September to End of November.
– Hills Mid March to End of May.
– If crop is grown for green leaves then plains in spring while
in hills in summer months.
• Method of sowing
– Broadcasted
– Line sowing
– Beds
– Ridges
• Irrigation
– Irrigate weekly.
– Total 5-6 irrigations.

9. • Fertilizer
– NPK @ 40-30-40 per acre at least at the
time of ploughing.
• Harvesting
– November-March
• Yield
– 2-3 ton/acre

10. Varieties
Varieties of coriander are distinguished by the size
of the fruit i.e.
Coriandrum sativum has large cremocarops of 3.5-5
mm in diameter.
Coriandrum sativum has cremocarps of 1.5-3 mm
diameter.
Local Selections (Peshawari type) is generally
cultivated in Pakistan.

11. Uses
Fruits are collected for medicinal purpose.
It stimulates the flow of digestive secretions.
Used full as a carminative and on treatment of
intestinal disorder.
Has expectorant properties.
May be used internally in the form of infusion in
stimulating appetite.
Grown for its green leaves used as condiments.
Seeds extensively used in confectionaries, medicines
and as a spice.
Used in ointment.

12. Insects and Diseases
• Rarely attack