Agronomic Productivity of Coriander as a Function of Different doses of Soil Worm Humus in the Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

Background and Aims: Organic farming represents a significant practice among family farmers in the Mossoró region of Rio Grande do Norte, who generally adopt low-technology production systems and apply animal manures (bovine, caprine and poultry) as fertiliser sources for their crops. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of coriander in response to different application rates of vermicompost (earthworm humus) under semi-arid conditions. Place of Study: The experiment was carried out between July and September 2025 at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, situated at 5°03′37″S and 37°23′50″W, in the north-western region of Mossoró, Brazil. The soil at the study site is classified as a dystrophic Red-Yellow Oxisol with a sandy loam texture. Study Design and Methodology:  A completely randomised design (CRD) was adopted for the experiment, comprising five treatments and four replications, resulting in a total of twenty experimental plots. The treatments consisted of five rates of vermicompost application (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 kg m⁻² of area). The plots consisted of pots with dimensions of 0.355 x 0.310 m, corresponding to an area of ​​0.11 m2. The values ​​obtained were multiplied by the factor 9.1 and expressed in m-2. The cultivar “Verdão” was used.  Mint Evaluated Characteristics: Thirty-five days after sowing, the experiment was harvested, and the following characteristics were evaluated: Plant height; yield; number of bunches and dry mass of coriander. Conclusions: The best agronomic performance of coriander was observed at a dose of 6.0 kg m-2, with values of 14.90 cm plant-1; 598.0 g m-2; 6.35 bunches m-2 and 69.83 g m-2 for plant height, green mass, number of bunches and dry mass, respectively. The use of humus was effective in increasing the agronomic characteristics of coriander.