Coriander (dhania) farming guide

The strong demand for aromatic foods in Kenya has brought smiley faces for a couple of farmers who are dumping the growing of the traditional crops and choosing spicy herbs instead. Such herbs include coriander (Dhania), lemon grass, and hibiscus among others.

Coriander gardening is a popular economic activity in Kenya and the plant has small leaves used as a fresh herb. Special features of this plant are white Flowers, Attractive spicy leaves, pungent seeds, Pleasant fragrance, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant and Easy gardening. 

Coriander herb

Coriander gardening is also widely adopted in Africa trading the produce in the local urban markets for home consumption as a fresh herb. The tender foliage is used to season and flavor curries while its seeds are processed into mixed spices and curry powder.

Coriander gardening is easy and the herb gives high returns on investment, in addition to taking a short time to mature. A small meters long and garden 351metre wide can give total revenue of KSh 15,000 within 45 days.

Coriander herb

Coriander gardening requirements are soil, seeds, Water, Sun, knife, garden tools.

Conditions favoring coriander farming - This herb prefers mild warm to cool weather and well drained alluvial or light sandy loam soils, rich in organic matter.

Planting coriander - The seeds are planted in drills 30cm apart for production of fresh herb and 50cm apart for coriander seeds production, and a sowing depth of 2.5-3.5cm.

Emergence occurs about 10 days after sowing and thinning is recommended when plants are 5-7cm high to 10-15cm within the rows.

-Regular watering is required as the crop responds well to even distribution of moisture over the growing season particularly for production of green herb.

Harvesting coriander - Harvest the largest herbs first which should be cut to encourage growth of the smaller herbs for later harvesting. If the gardening targets seeds production, it could take about three months for the crop to be ready. When the flowers have dried, cut down the stems, then harvest and pile up the crop for a few days in the field to further ripen and dry before threshing.

Pests and diseases in coriander
1.Bacterial leaf spot - Very small water-soaked spots between leaf veins which enlarge and turn dark brown to black; stems may have elongated dark streaks; inflorescences yellowing and turning brown and blighted; water-soaked lesions on fruit.

2.Soft rot - Small water-soaked lesions near base of petioles which become soft,sunken and brown.

3.Powdery mildew - Powdery growth on leaves, petioles flowers stalks and bracts; leaves becoming chlorotic; severe infections can cause flowers to become distorted.

4.Damping-off - Soft, rotting seeds which fail to germinate; rapid death of seedling prior to emergence from soil; collapse of seedlings after they have emerged from the soil caused by water-soaked reddish lesions girdling the stem at the soil line.

5.Carrot motley dwarf(CMD) - Yellow and red leaves; stunted plant growth.

6. Root knot nematode - Galls on roots which can be up to 3.3 cm (1 in) in diameter but are usually smaller; reduction in plant vigor; yellowing plants which wilt in hot weather.

7.Armyworm - Singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes in foliage; heavy feeding by young larvae leads to skeletonized leaves; shallow, dry wounds on fruit; egg clusters of 50-150 eggs may be present on the leaves; egg clusters are covered in a whitish scale which gives the cluster a cottony or fuzzy appearance; young larvae are pale green to yellow in color while older larvae are generally darker green with a dark and light line running along the side of their body and a pink or yellow underside.

8. Cutworms - Stems of young transplants or seedlings may be severed at soil line; if infection occurs later, irregular holes are eaten into the surface of fruits; larvae causing the damage are usually active at night and hide during the day in the soil at the base of the plants or in plant debris of toppled plant; larvae are 2.5–5.0 cm (1–2 in) in length; larvae may exhibit a variety of patterns and coloration but will usually curl up into a C-shape when disturbed.

9.Aphids (Willow-carrot aphid) - Small soft bodied insects on underside of leaves and/or stems of plant; usually green or yellow in color; if aphid infestation is heavy it may cause leaves to yellow and/or distorted, necrotic spots on leaves and/or stunted shoots; aphids secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew which encourages the growth of sooty mold on the plants.

Health benefits of coriander herb
-The health benefits of coriander include its use in the treatment of skin inflammation , high cholesterol levels, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, anemia, indigestion, menstrual disorders, smallpox, conjunctivitis, skin disorders, and blood sugar disorders, while also benefiting eye care.

1.Skin inflammation - Cineole, one of the 11 components of the essential oils, and linoleic acid, are both present in coriander, and they possess antirheumatic and antiarthritic properties. They help to reduce the swelling that is caused by these two conditions. For other swelling conditions, such as swelling due to kidney malfunction or anemia, it is also seen to be effective to some extent, because some of the components in coriander help the induce urination and the release of excess water from the body.

2.Skin disorders - The disinfectant, detoxifying, antiseptic,antifungal and antioxidant properties of coriander are ideal for clearing up skin disorders such as eczema, dryness and fungal infections.

3.Low cholesterol levels - Some of the acids present in coriander, like linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin-C) are very effective in reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood.

4.Diarrhea - Some of the components of essential oils found in coriander such as Borneol and Linalool, aid in digestion, proper functioning of the liver and bonding of bowels, while also helping to reduce diarrhea.

5.Blood pressure - Consuming coriander has been shown to positively reduce blood pressure in many patients suffering from hypertension.

6.Mouth ulcers - Citronelol, a component of essential oils in coriander, is an excellent antiseptic. Additionally, other components have antimicrobial and healing effects which keep wounds and ulcers in the mouth from worsening. They help speed up the healing process of ulcers and also freshen breath.

7.Anemia - Coriander is high in iron content, which directly helps people who suffer from anemia. Low iron content in the blood can result in shortness of breath, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, and a decrease in cognitive functions. Iron also benefits proper functions of other organ systems, increases energy and strength, and promotes the health of bones.

8.Anti-allergic properties - Multiple studies have shown coriander to have strong anti-histamine properties that can reduce the uncomfortable affects of seasonal allergies and hay fever (rhinitis). Coriander oil can also be used to reduce allergic reactions to contact with plants, insects, food, and other substances that may cause allergic reactions on the skin or when consumed.

9.Salmonella protection - Salmonella is one of the most dangerous causes of food borne illnesses in the world, so any natural way to protect against it is very important. Coriander has unusually high levels of dodecenal, a natural compound that is actually twice as powerful of an antibiotic than the leading treatment for salmonella-based illness.

10.Bone health - As a rich source of calcium, coriander is of great value for people who want to protect the integrity of their bones. Calcium and other essential minerals found in coriander are integral components of bone regrowth and durability, as well as in the prevention of bone degradation so commonly associated with debilitating diseases like osteoporosis.

11.Digestion - Coriander, due to the rich aroma from its essential oils, helps in the proper secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach, thereby stimulating digestion and peristaltic motion.

12.Smallpox - The essential oils in coriander are rich in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-infectious and detoxifying components and acids. The presence of vitamin-C and iron strengthens the immune system as well.

13.Menstrual disorders - Coriander is a natural stimulant, and it regulates proper secretion from the endocrine glands, and that hormonal impact means that it helps regulate proper menstrual cycles and reduces the associated pain during a woman’s period.

14.Eye care - Coriander is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin-A, vitamin-C and minerals like phosphorous in its essential oils, which prevents vision disorders,macular degenerationand it reduces strain and stress on the eyes.

15.Conjunctivitis - As discussed earlier, coriander is a very good disinfectant and has antimicrobial properties that protect the eyes from contagious diseases like conjunctivitis.

16.Blood sugar and diabetes - Due the stimulating effect of coriander on the endocrine glands, the secretion of insulin is increased from pancreas which subsequently increases the insulin level in the blood. This regulates the proper assimilation and absorption of sugar and the resulting drops in the sugar level in the blood.

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