Coriandolo O Prezzemolo Cinese - Microcarpum

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

Order

Apiales

Genus

Coriandrum

Species

sativum

Description

Annual herbaceous plant appreciated for its leaves, fruits and seeds used in gastronomy as well as for its medicinal properties. Easy to cultivate, it is resistant to heat and drought; it can be grown outdoors during the spring-summer period either in the open or in pots, preferring full sun exposures.

Variety description

Coriander is a plant that in some cases even grows wild; it prefers warm, dry environments, although in cold, higher-altitude environments it can develop interesting quality properties. Its use is not limited to the agri-food sphere but is widely used to flavour various dishes, thanks to its typical flavour, and it is also used in the officinal sphere as the intake of coriander confers various benefits. It can be grown not only in the open field but also in pots; it is essential to provide the plant with sunlight so that it can develop without problems. Water and nutritional requirements are very limited, which allows the grower to manage the plant without great difficulty. Flowering presents an umbrella-like inflorescence visible in the first half of summer. If cultivated correctly, coriander provides the grower with excellent final yields of fair quality.

Curiosities and special features

Already used by the ancient Egyptians as an aromatic plant and for medicinal purposes, it is now widely used both in the culinary field, where the leaves are used to add a spicy accent to first courses and the seeds are used to flavour drinks, food and in the preparation of sausages or pickles, and in the officinal field as an antibacterial, antispasmodic, carminative, fungicide and fatigue suppressant.

In the past, sugar-coated coriander seeds were used during Carnival, later replaced by coloured paper discs in the 19th century!

Origin and distribution

A native species of the eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan; today it is cultivated in all temperate climate zones, in some of which it can also grow wild.

Leaf

The leaves, with a distinctive aroma, have a pinnate lamina.

Fruit

The plant has several edible parts. Below are the technical characteristics for each of them. The fruit is a round achene with a weight of G. It ripens from early summer to late summer. The skin is not edible. It has a two-tone colouring and is very fragrant with an intense aroma. The flavour is distinctive and spicy, with a strong taste. It is a variety with intermediate organoleptic characteristics. The seeds have a round shape and a two-tone colouration, although it does not actually contain seeds. The skin is not edible. From a sensory point of view, a characteristic spicy flavour with a strong taste, accompanied by a penetrating and very fragrant aroma, characterise this product. Ripening takes place in early to mid-summer. It is a variety with intermediate organoleptic characteristics that guarantees a good shelf life. The leaf contains no seeds and has a tender texture with a weight of a: G. It is fragrant with a penetrating aroma, spicy flavour and strong taste. It is unicoloured and the skin is not edible. It is one of the main cultivated varieties, characterised by good organoleptic characteristics.

Inflorescence

Compound umbrella inflorescence, typical of many species belonging to the botanical family Umbelliferae.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous colour tone.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.5 to 0.7 m.

Lifespan

Annual-cycle plant.

Where to plant

Versatile, suitable for growing in flowerbeds, large pots, open field, outdoor tubs.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a labiate or bilabiate corolla. It is arranged in medium-sized compound umbel inflorescences. It flowers from early to mid-summer. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

Compact growing variety.

Plant habit

The habitus developed by the plant is bushy.

Branching

Branching is abundant, ensuring a good final production level.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or substrate for coriander varies from slightly acidic to neutral, with optimum values between 6.0 and 7.0. Avoid acidity levels above 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in spring, the soil must be dug 20/30 cm deep, eliminating any weeds, residues from previous crops and cumbersome stones, and then organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser must be buried, and the clods of soil must be worked further by breaking them up with a hoe in order to improve fertiliser distribution and obtain greater softness. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, then carry out slight soil berming to create a raised bed where the seedlings will be transplanted according to a suitable planting pattern.

During the cultivation cycle continue to remove, by surface hoeing, weeds in the vicinity of the crop to prevent them from hindering its normal growth.

Sun exposure

For best vegetative growth expose the plant to full sun, sheltered from strong wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 30 °C; it prefers a warm and dry climate.

Use

Appreciated in different application sectors such as:

Agribusiness Officinal / phytotherapeutic Aromatics

Hardiness

It has medium rusticity, withstanding dry summer heat.

Soil

For proper vegetative development, prefer medium-textured or sandy soil that is deep, has organic matter and drains well; for use in pots or tubs, a horticultural soil with a blond and brown peat base is recommended.

Difficulty

A fairly easy plant to grow, it requires a low level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some useful tips and cultivation aspects for a better yield:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and dry climate

Intercropping/combination

Can be grown in association with radish.

Planting

For cultivation in beds or open fields, apply an average density of 9 plants per square metre when transplanting so that each specimen has adequate space to express the best growth vigour; it is also suggested that the seedling be taken out of its container without damaging the roots, placing it on a bedded bed with the collar outside the soil surface and irrigating immediately afterwards. If there is a risk of frost, transplanting should be postponed.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to harvesting the edible parts. If harvested too early, the fruit may become darker, while in the case of late harvesting it may fall, resulting in a lower final yield.

Propagation

Reproduction is by spring sowing, in open field or in containers.

Repotting

Repotting, to be carried out at the end of spring, is necessary if the plant shows stunted growth with poor root development.

Watering

Coriander has low water requirements, so even in the hottest periods, periodic irrigation will suffice. Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water, either by hand or by sprinkler, drip-wing or sub-irrigation irrigation.

Irrigate immediately after transplanting and assist the plant which, in the new site, may be more exposed to water stress, avoiding dry spells but at the same time not overdoing the quantities applied to prevent stagnation and root rot; then allow the soil to dry slightly between one irrigation and the next, keeping it slightly damp.

For possible sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate and, after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Fertilising

Carry out a background fertilisation with organo-mineral fertiliser during pre-transplant soil preparation. Coriander has low nutrient requirements, it is advisable not to overdo the nitrogen fertilisation to avoid possible allurement of the plant. During the vegetative phase, apply specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticultural crops to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the dosage and frequency proportional to the needs of the crop.

Edibility for humans

The edible parts of the plant, if harvested at the correct stage of ripeness, well preserved and in suitable quantities, are edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, however consider the individual case for possible contraindications.

Tip

Watch out for various pathogens that could affect the crop such as Pythium irregulare, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum. If desired with reference to harvesting, a first mowing can be carried out and instead of making a second mowing in this second case it will be possible to proceed directly with threshing. With reference to the minimum vital temperature it must be said that this refers to the basal rosette stage while in the emerged stage it tolerates temperatures as low as -8°C.