Investigating the effect of humic acid and amino acids on the quantitative and qualitative yield of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center-Hamadan Province-Iran

2 Researcher and Head of Soil and Water Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Hamadan Province, Iran

3 Master's student at Jahad Daneshgahi Institute of Higher Education - Kermanshah - Iran

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of water and nutrient absorption, and consequently enhance the quantity and quality of crop yield, various growth stimulants, such as humic acid and amino acids, are widely utilized. This study investigates the effects of humic acid and amino acids on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in a farm located in Deh Delian village, Hamadan city, during the spring of 2024. The experiment was designed as a factorial study based on a randomized complete design with three replications. The two factors examined were: humic acid applied at three concentrations (control—no humic acid, 2 and 4 per liter) and amino acids applied at three concentrations (control—no amino acids, 2 and 4 per liter). The results indicated that both humic acid and amino acid treatments significantly affected most coriander traits. The highest values for the number of stems (8.22), shoot length (41.22 cm), root fresh weight (8.88 g), root dry weight (3.24 g) and root volume (10.33 cm3), one-thousand-seed weight (10.30 g), and relative water content were (79.19) obtained from the 4 per liter amino acid and 4 per liter humic acid treatment, and the lowest values observed in the control group. The longest root length (17.88 cm) was observed in the 4 per liter amino acid and 4 per liter humic acid treatment, while the shortest root length occurred in the control. The highest seed yield (111.33 g) was found in the 4 per liter amino acid and 2 per liter humic acid treatment, with the lowest yield in the control. The highest percentage of essential oil was obtained when using the highest concentration of either amino acid (4 per liter) or humic acid (4 per liter) alone, while the lowest essential oil content (0.36 %) was observed in the control treatment. Chlorophyll content increased with both humic acid and amino acid treatments, with the lowest (2.69 mgg-1) and highest (4.19 mgg-1) values found in the control and 4 per liter amino acid and 4 per liter humic acid treatments, respectively. Therefore, the combined application of humic acid and amino acids significantly enhances the quantity and quality of coriander yield, and foliar spraying with these substances is economically justifiable.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Introductio

In the era of modern agriculture, the area of arable land has decreased due to various factors such as drought, increased soil salinity, and urban expansion. With rising demand for food production, increasing yield per unit area has become a key priority for planners and producers. Among the widely used organic sources that act as biostimulants and significantly boost yield per unit area are amino acids. These substances promote plant growth and activity, and in addition to being a rich source of nitrogen and carbon, they directly and indirectly mitigate the effects of environmental stresses . Another popular growth stimulant among farmers is humic acid. Humic acid plays a critical role in enhancing nutrient absorption by strengthening root structures, thus improving the plant's resistance to environmental stresses. Moreover, using humic acid as a foliar spray in combination with other fertilizers, especially pesticides, enhances their effectiveness. For these reasons, the present study was conducted with the following objectives:

Investigating the effect of humic acid on the quantitative and qualitative growth of the medicinal plant coriander.

Investigating the effect of amino acids on the quantitative and qualitative growth and yield of the medicinal plant coriander.

Investigating the interactive effect of amino acids and humic acid on the quantitative and qualitative growth and yield of the medicinal plant coriander

Method

The research was conducted in April 2024 in Hamedan County, Deh Delian Village, located at an east longitude of 47 to 49 degrees, a north latitude of 33 to 35 degrees, and an altitude of 1820 meters above sea level. The study was carried out as a field cultivation experiment using a factorial design based on a randomized complete design, with three replications. Disturbed soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm, air-dried, and passed through a 2 mm sieve to determine the chemical and physical properties. After preparing the field and applying nutrient fertilizers based on soil test recommendations, 30 coriander seeds were sown in each experimental plot during the first week of Farvardin 1403 AH. Irrigation was carried out on average once every four days. At the four-leaf stage, 15 strong and healthy plants were selected in each plot, while the weak plants were removed. The treatments were then applied as foliar sprays at three stages: four-leaf, stemming, and flowering. Each of the humic acid and amino acid treatments had three levels: control (no treatment), 2 per liter concentration, and 4 per liter concentration. At the end of the cultivation period, both the shoots and roots of the plants were harvested separately, and their desired traits were measured.

Results and Discussion

Amino acid and humic acid spraying, as well as their interaction effects, were significant on the studied traits. Amino acid application improved the number of stems per plant, the length and dry weight of the shoot, root dry weight, grain yield per unit area, thousand seed weight, relative leaf water content, and coriander essential oil content. Humic acid also positively affected the number of stems per plant, the length and fresh weight of the shoot, the length, fresh weight, dry weight, and volume of roots, grain yield per unit area, thousand seed weight, relative leaf water content, and the percentage of coriander essential oil. The interaction effect of amino acids and humic acid was also significant and positive on the number of stems per plant, length and dry weight of the shoot, fresh weight, dry weight and root volume, grain yield per unit area, thousand seed weight, relative leaf water content, and coriander essential oil percentage. The highest values for these traits were observed in the amino acid and humic acid treatment at 4 per liter, while the lowest values were recorded in the control treatment. The effect of amino acid and humic acid treatments, and their interaction, on total chlorophyll content was also significant. As the concentrations of amino acids and humic acid increased, total chlorophyll content also increased, with the highest and lowest values, similar to most other traits, observed in the amino acid-humic acid 4 per liter treatment and the control treatment, respectively. At low and medium levels of amino acid and humic acid, their interaction significantly enhanced the percentage of essential oil. However, at higher concentrations of each factor, there was no need for the application of the second factor, as the highest percentage of essential oil was achieved with either amino acid or humic acid applied alone at high concentrations (4 per liter). When using amino acids and humic acid, the purpose of cultivating coriander should be clearly defined

A- For the extraction and medicinal properties of coriander, it is recommended to use either amino acid or humic acid at high concentrations (4 per liter). If both acids are to be applied simultaneously at lower concentrations, it is advisable to use equal concentrations at the average level (2 per liter).

B- If the purpose of coriander cultivation is to consume the cilantro, either raw or cooked, it is recommended to use high levels of both amino acids and humic acid (4 per liter) simultaneously, in order to achieve the highest yield of cilantro.

C- If the reason for cultivation is to harvest coriander seeds, an average level of humic acid (2 per liter) and a high level of amino acid (4 per liter) should be used to achieve the highest seed yield per unit area.

D- Finally, if coriander is planted in areas with limited water resources, high water efficiency can be achieved by using the highest levels of both amino acids and humic acids (4 per liter) simultaneously. In these conditions, maximum rooting and subsequent absorption of water and nutrients occur, leading to a significant increase in yield and improved water use efficiency

Author Contributions

  1. K. conducted the experiment and measurements. M. KH. analysed and wrote the draft . Other colleagues collaborated on the research as consultants. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the reviewers and editor for their critical comments that helped to improve the paper.

Ethical considerations

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 56, Issue 9
December 2025
Pages 2565-2591

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