Planting Density and Harvest Time for Baby Leaf Coriander in Floating Hydroponics

Baby leaf aromatic–medicinal plants have been an interesting option for the ready-to-eat commercial segment because they have a short cycle, high yield and high density of bioactive compounds. In the floating cultivation of baby leaf coriander, planting density and harvest time still lack definition. In this context, an experiment was carried out in protected cultivation, in Jaboticabal, Brazil, to evaluate how these two factors affect the growth, yield and quality of baby leaf coriander, in a floating hydroponic system. This experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, in split-plots, with four replicates. Plots corresponded to harvest times (10 and 13 days after transplanting to the floating system, DATF), and subplots corresponded to planting densities (408, 816, 1224, 1632 and 2040 plants m−2). A delay in harvest increased the number of leaves and leaf blade, petiole and leaf lengths by 30, 19, 39 and 30%, respectively, in addition to leaf area, shoot fresh and dry masses and yield. The higher the planting density, the higher the values of growth characteristics. The maximum yield (1.091 kg m−2) was observed with 2040 plants m−2 for harvest at 13 DATF. Later harvest increased the contents of carotenoids, vitamin C, calcium and zinc. Planting density did not alter the contents of phenolic compounds but increased calcium, iron and zinc contents. Thus, 2040 plants m−2 associated with harvest at 13 DATF is recommended, as it favored yield and nutraceutical value.