Effect of planting material, mulch and farmyard manure on weed density, rhizome yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v56i4.4706Keywords:
Curcumin, Mulching, Turmeric, WeedsAbstract
A field experiment was conducted during 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Ludhiana to study the effect of different cul- tural practices on weeds, yield and economy of turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.). Mother rhizome planting material re- sulted in significantly less weed population than primary and secondary finger planting material. The plant height, tillers/plant, leaves/plant, number of rhizomes/plant and mother, primary and secondary rhizome yields were also significantly more with mother rhizome planting material as compared to primary and secondary finger planting material. Increase in the paddy straw mulch levels from no mulch to 6.25 t/ha and then from 6.25 to 9.38 t/ha sig- nificantly decreased weed population and resulted in better growth parameters, yield attributes and mother, pri- mary and secondary rhizome yield. On the other hand increase in farmyard manure levels from 30 to 45 t/ha sig- nificantly increased weed population, but growth parameters, yield attributes and mother, primary and secondary rhizome yield increased due to increased availability of nutrients and water. Oil and curcumin content in turmeric was not significantly affected by the planting materials, mulch or FYM application. However, oil and curcumin yield was higher when mother rhizomes were used and also increased with mulching and FYM application during both the years. Mother rhizome planting material, 9.38 t/ha mulch and 45 t/ha FYM resulted in the highest net return and benefit: cost (B: C) ratio.References
Indian Journal of Agronomy 56 (4): 393__399 (December 2011)
Effect of planting material, mulch and farmyard manure on weed density, rhizome yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa)
S.S. MANHAS, B.S. GILL, V. KHAJURIA AND S. KUMAR
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004
Received: March 2011; Revised accepted : October 2011
A field experiment was conducted during 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Ludhiana to study the effect of different cultural practices on weeds, yield and economy of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Mother rhizome planting material resulted in significantly less weed population than primary and secondary finger planting material. The plant height, tillers/plant, leaves/plant, number of rhizomes/plant and mother, primary and secondary rhizome yields were also significantly more with mother rhizome planting material as compared to primary and secondary finger planting material. Increase in the paddy straw mulch levels from no mulch to 6.25 t/ha and then from 6.25 to 9.38 t/ha significantly decreased weed population and resulted in better growth parameters, yield attributes and mother, primary and secondary rhizome yield. On the other hand increase in farmyard manure levels from 30 to 45 t/ha significantly increased weed population, but growth parameters, yield attributes and mother, primary and secondary rhizome yield increased due to increased availability of nutrients and water. Oil and curcumin content in turmeric was not significantly affected by the planting materials, mulch or FYM application. However, oil and curcumin yield was higher when mother rhizomes were used and also increased with mulching and FYM application during both the years. Mother rhizome planting material, 9.38 t/ha mulch and 45 t/ha FYM resulted in the highest net return
and benefit: cost (B: C) ratio.
Key words: Curcumin, Mulching, Turmeric, Weeds
Turmeric is a major field spice crop of India. It is grown for its rhizomes, which are mainly used as a spice for flavouring and colouring many foods. Essential oils, curcumin and oleoresin are also extracted from turmeric. India is major producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric; a major part of its produce is consumed within the country and export accounts only for about 5.9 percent of total production. During 2007-08, the turmeric export from India was 49,250 tonnes valued at 1.57 million Rupees and was 11 percent of total spices export (Selvan, 2009). Though India leads in the production of turmeric but average productivity is quite low. Competition offered by weeds is one of the major factors responsible for its lower productivity. Delayed emergence, slow initial growth, poor canopy development of turmeric provides ideal environment for weeds to grow and cover the ground quickly and compete with the crop. Yield losses of turmeric due to weeds vary from 30-75 percent (Krishnamurthi and Ayyaswamy 2000). Farmers have to go for repeated weedings which add to the cost of its cul
*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]
tivation. Herbicide use may not provide a long lasting and effective weed management in a long duration turmeric crop. Turmeric is propagated vegetatively using both mother as well as finger rhizomes. The type of planting material used affects the vigour of the plant, yield as well as the cost of production of turmeric (Kumar, 2005). Application of straw mulch and FYM is reported to influence water evaporation loss, weed population and soil temperature and thereby the yield and cost of production of turmeric (Gill et al 1999). Keeping this in view, the present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of planting material, mulch and FYM application on the yield and quality of turmeric cultivation at Ludhiana.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at research farm, department of agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand, low in available nitrogen (185.0 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.21 %), medium in available phosphorus (13.3 kg/ha) and potassium (200.0 kg/ha) with pH 7.8. Treatments com
