Abstract :
In order to study the effect of sowing date and plant density on yield and yield components of coriander, an experiment was conducted in research field of Islamic Azad University, Birjand branch, Iran in 2010 as a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications. The main plot was sowing date at three levels of March 30, April 14 and April 29. The sub-plot was plant density at three levels of 20, 40 and 60 plants m-2.The results showed that with the delay in sowing from March 30 to April 29, umbel number per m2, fruit number per umbel, 1000-fruits weight, fruit and biological yield significantly decreased 42.5, 48.4, 20.5, 76.4 and 74.7%, respectively. Also, means comparison indicated that the increase in density from 20 to 60 plants/m2 led to the increase in umbel number per m2, 1000-fruits weight, fruit and biological yield by 158.8, 4.7, 87.6 and 95.7%, respectively. Finally, it is recommended to use sowing date of March 30 with the density of 60 plants/m2 for the cultivation of coriander in Birjand because of having the highest fruit yield.
