Evaluation of production systems for sustainable coriander and coriander-cabbage intercropping system in the semi-arid region of India

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an important seed spice crop widely grown for its culinary, medicinal, and industrial value. However, its productivity and quality are often inadequate due to poor nutrient management practices and declining soil health due to excessive application of inorganic fertilizers. In the view of rising concerns over environmental safeguard and consumer demands for pesticide and chemical residue-free produces. There is an urgent need to adopt good agronomic practices and sustainable crop production strategies. To address this, a four-year field study (2020-21 to 2023-24) was conducted at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Seed Spices (ICAR-NRCSS), Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, to assess the impact of six production systems viz. (PS1) 100% organic, (PS2) 50% organic + 50% seed treatment with beejamrit + ghanjeevamrit @ 250 kg/ha, jeevamrit @ 500 l /ha twice a month with irrigation water, (PS3) integrated (50% organic + 50% in organic), (PS4 ) 25% organic + 25% inorganic + 50% seed treated with beejamrit + ghanjeevamrit @ 250 kg/ha, jeevamrit @ 500 l /ha twice a month with irrigation water, (PS5) 100% inorganic nutrient sources and (PS6) recommended dose on the coriander yield, quality, and soil health under both sole cropping and intercropping with cabbage. The study revealed significant differences among the systems in terms of seed yield, production efficiency, and sustainability yield index (SYI). Among all the treatments, PS4 (comprising 25% organic, 25% inorganic + 50% seed treated with beejamrit + ghanjeevamrit @ 250 kg/ha, jeevamrit @ 500 l /ha twice a month with irrigation water) consistently outperformed over to others. In the intercropping systems, PS4 (25% organic + 25% inorganic + 50% seed treated with beejamrit + ghanjeevamrit @ 250 kg/ha, jeevamrit @ 500 l /ha twice a month with irrigation water) also produced the highest coriander equivalent yield (125.9 q/ha) and revealed marked improvements in the soil fertility. Coriander seed quality assessments indicated that essential oil and linalool content were the highest in PS2 and PS4 treatments, compared to PS5. Post harvest soil samples analysis revealed improved in bulk density (BD), water-holding capacity (WHC), and nutrient availability in organic and integrated systems compared to inorganic based system (PS5). The study demonstrates the potential of integrated nutrient management, particularly PS4, is enhancing coriander productivity, quality, soil health and economic gains, offering a sustainable solution for diverse cropping systems in semi-arid regions of India. Future research should validate these systems across diverse agro-ecologies and integrate precision and participatory approaches to improve adoption and long-term sustainability.