Effects of Vermicompost and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Seed Yield, Yield Components of Seed and Essential Oil Content of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

In order to study the effect of vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria on seed yield, yield components of seed and essential oil content of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), an experiment was conducted as factorial experiment in the base of randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and three replications at research field of Agriculture Company of Ran in Firouzkuh of Iran in 2012. The factors were vermicompost in four levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 ton/ha) and nitrogen fixing bacteria (Nitroxin), mixture of Azotobacter chroococcumandAzospirillum lipoferum in two levels (non-inoculated and inoculated seeds). Inoculation was carried out by dipping the coriander seeds in the cells suspension of 108 CFU/ml for 15 min. The vermicompost was prepared from animal manure by employing epigeic species of Eisenia foetida. In this study, traits of the umbel number per plant, umberella number per umbel, weight of 1000 seeds, biomass yield, seed yield and essential oil content were evaluated. Essential oil content was determined by distilling a sample of 100 g of coriander seeds from the each plot in Clevenger’s apparatus. Analysis of variance by using SAS software and mean comparisons by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (at the 5% probability level) was done. Results showed that the highest umbel number per plant, seed yield and essential oil content  were obtained after applying 6 ton/ha vermicompost. The maximum umberella per umbel and biomass yield were obtained after applying 3 and 9 ton/ha vermicompost respectively. Nitrogen fixing bacteria, also showed significant effects on biomass yield and seed yield. The maximum biomass yield and seed yield were obtained by using the inoculated seeds.