Soil test based fertilizers application for targeted yield of coriander in Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Introduction

Fertilizers constitute one of the most expensive inputs in agricultural production, and their judicious use plays a crucial role in ensuring economic viability of farming as well as safeguarding environmental quality. Achieving higher profitability across diverse soil and climatic conditions requires precise knowledge of crop-specific nutrient requirements and optimal fertilizer doses. Among the various methods available, fertilizer recommendation based on soil testing coupled with crop response studies has long been recognized as the most reliable approach. In India, semi-quantitative soil test calibration techniques were initially developed and recommended during 1956-57. Subsequently, the targeted yield concept, proposed by Troug (1960) [17] and further refined by Ramamoorthy et al. (1967) [9] , gained wide acceptance for fertilizer prescription. This approach was later strengthened through quantitative improvements under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) during 1967-68, which integrated soil and plant analysis to refine fertilizer recommendations. The STCR methodology establishes a functional relationship between crop yield, soil nutrient status, and applied fertilizers using the targeted yield framework. This concept is founded on estimating fertilizer needs based on the desired yield level, crop nutrient demand, and the proportional contribution of nutrients from both soil and applied sources (Regar and Singh, 2014) [11] . An important advantage of this approach is that it not only prescribes soil test-based fertilizer doses but also provides farmers with a realistic yield expectation corresponding to those inputs. Unscientific fertilizer use, either excessive or insufficient, due to lack of information on crop nutrient demand, can lead to soil degradation, reduced crop performance, and environmental concerns. Moreover, the continuously rising cost of fertilizers necessitates a more holistic and efficient nutrient management strategy that integrates soil testing, field experimentation, and economic analysis to optimize fertilizer use. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), popularly known as dhania, is an important annual seed spice cultivated in India for its tender green leaves as well as dried seeds. The crop belongs to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) and is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region. Cytologically, coriander is a diploid species with 2n = 22 chromosomes. It is widely valued for its use as a culinary spice and flavoring agent and occupies a prominent position in both domestic consumption and international trade. India ranks first globally in coriander production, recording 854.97 thousand tonnes from an area of 604.49 thousand hectares during the year 2024-25. Other notable coriander-producing countries include Iran, Morocco, Russia, Canada, Australia, and Bulgaria. Within India, major coriander-producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. India also leads the world in the production, consumption, and export of seed spices. Among Indian states, Gujarat and Rajasthan together account for more than 80 per cent of the country's total seed spice output, earning them the designation of the "seed spice bowl" of India. Although the targeted yield approach has demonstrated considerable potential in improving coriander productivity, limited information is available on its application in combination with farmyard manure (FYM). Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to formulate balanced fertilizer recommendations, with and without FYM, for achieving specific yield targets of coriander grown on medium black calcareous soils.

Materials and Methods:

A soil test-based crop response investigation was carried out on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L., var. GC-3) during the year 2022 at the Vegetable Research Station of Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, on medium black calcareous soil. The experiment was laid out following the inductive-cum-fertility gradient technique proposed by Ramamoorthy et al. (1967) [9] . To establish varying soil fertility conditions, the experimental field was divided into three equal strips, each receiving graded doses of fertilizers corresponding to N₀P₀K₀, N₁P₁K₁, and N₂P₂K₂ levels. Accordingly, fertilizer treatments were imposed as L₀ (no application of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O), L₁ (80-40-40 kg ha⁻¹ of N-P₂O₅-K₂O), and L₂ (160-80-80 kg ha⁻¹ of N-P₂O₅-K₂O). Maize was cultivated as an exhaustive crop to facilitate nutrient transformation and redistribution in the soil through crop uptake and microbial activity. This practice helped generate a wide range of soil fertility levels across the gradient strips, which were assessed based on differences in fodder yield, nutrient uptake, and soil test values. After harvesting the exhaustive crop, the test crop experiment was initiated. Each fertility strip was subdivided into fifteen uniform plots. A total of twelve fertilizer combinations consisting of four nitrogen levels (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha⁻¹), three phosphorus levels (0, 30, and 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹), and three potassium levels (0, 20, and 40 kg K₂O ha⁻¹) were randomly assigned within each strip along with three unfertilized control plots. Farmyard manure was applied at three rates (0, 5, and 10 t ha⁻¹) across all fertility gradient strips. Prior to sowing of coriander, composite soil samples were collected from each plot and analyzed for available nitrogen using alkaline KMnO₄ method (Subbiah and Asija, 1956) [16] , available phosphorus by Olsen's method (Olsen et al., 1954) [5] , and available potassium using neutral normal ammonium acetate extraction (Hanway and Heidal, 1952) [3] . The FYM used in the study was chemically analyzed for total nitrogen through sulphuric acid digestion employing the micro-Kjeldahl method (AOAC, 1990) [1] . Phosphorus and potassium contents were determined by digesting ovendried FYM samples with a di-acid mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. Seed and straw yields of coriander were recorded on a plot basis. Representative plant samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content following standard procedures (Piper, 1966) [7] , and total nutrient uptake was calculated. Using data on yield, nutrient uptake, soil test values, and fertilizer application rates, key parameters such as nutrient requirement per quintal of yield, contribution of nutrients from soil, fertilizer contribution with and without FYM, and nutrient contribution from FYM were computed as outlined by Ramamoorthy et al. (1967) [9] .

Nutrient required (kg) to produce one quintal of economic produce (NR) = Total uptake of nutrient (kg ha -1 ) Seed yield (q ha -1 )

Contribution from soil (CS) =

Total uptake in control plots (kg ha These parameters were used for the formulation of fertilizer adjustment equation for deriving fertilizer doses and the soil test based fertilizer recommendations were prescribed in the form of ready reckoner for desired yield targets of coriander under NPK alone as well as with FYM. General recommendation dose of fertilizer and soil test crop response (STCR) for 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 q ha -1 targeted yield in Coriander (var. GC 3) were taken on 15 farmers' field. The targeted yield of crop was decided as per yield potential of varieties. Pre sowing soil samples were analyzed according to the standard procedures. Quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were calculated with the help of fertilizer adjustment equations.

Results and discussion

Soil available nutrients and coriander yield:

The range and mean values of coriander seed yield and soil available nutrients of treated and control plots are given as under The data on Cs and C fa or C fp indicated that nutrients contribution from fertilizer source along with FYM were greater than that of in absence of FYM and from soil. The efficiency of added fertilizer nutrients along with FYM increased considerably, which reflected in higher coriander seed yield than control plots. The contribution of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O were higher when fertilizer nutrients were added along with FYM. The addition of FYM might have play an important role for enhancing microbial population and provide enough carbon which leads to higher availability and thereby higher contribution of available nutrients to plants. The findings are in close conformity with those reported by Balasubramaniam et al. (2005), Kadam and Sonar (2006) [4] , Parmar et al. (2009) [6] , Sakarvadia et al.

Range and mean values of available nutrients in the soil and coriander seed yield

Parameters

(2012) [13] , Polara et al. (2012) [8] and Sakarvadia et al.

(2016) [12] . Sakarvadia et al. (2021) [14] .

Fertilizer prescription equation for desired yield targets of coriander

Soil test based fertilizer prescription equations for targeted yield of coriander were formulated using the basic parameters are given below On the basis of these equations, a ready reckoner was prepared for a range of soil test values and for coriander seed yield targets of 12.5, 15.0 and 17.5 q ha -1 ( With FYM (10 t/ha) FN: 6.40 x T -0.37 x SN -0.18x FYM FP2O5: 2.71 x T -2.21 x SP -0.14 x FYM FK2O: 6.27 x T -0.43 x SK -0.20 x FYM Note: FN, FP2O5 and FK2O -Fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O in kg/ha, respectively: T -yield target in q ha -1 , SN, SP and SK -KMnO4-N, Olsen-P and NH4OAc-K in kg/ha, respectively, FYM: t ha -1 . The data in Table-2 showed that the actual coriander seed yield obtained was 11.09, 12.98, 14.88, 16.76 and 17.86 q ha -1 at 35, 40, 45 and 50 q ha -1 and recommended dose of 120 kg N ha -1 , 60 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 and 60 kg K 2 O ha -1 from fifteen location trials, respectively. The results of the validations (follow-up) trials clearly indicated that the coriander yield targets were achieved with +10.87 to -10.69 percent variations by the application fertilizer prescription equations (Table -2). The application of fertilizer nutrient based on targeted yield approach would be highly economical and viable technology considering soil health and desired yield targets.

Fertilizer prescription equation for desired yield targets of coriander

Conclusion

The nutrient requirement for production of one quintal coriander seed was assessed as 3.92, 0.51 and 2.61 kg; N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively and the fertilizer prescription x SK]. Targeted yield concept could be effectively adopted from 12.5 to 17.5 q/ha for site specific fertilizer recommendation to achieve high yields of coriander in the medium black calcareous soils of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

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