Turmeric is a perennial herb, native of south Asia. It is also known as "Indian Saffron" is sacred spice of India. It is principal ingredient in Indian culinary and used as flavoring and coloring agent. It is used in drug and cosmetic industry because of its anti-cancer and anti-viral property. Turmeric has special place in religious and ceremonial occasions.

India is the world largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. In world market, Indian turmeric is considered best as curcumin content is high in Indian turmeric. In India, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Karnataka and Maharashtra are major producers of Turmeric.

In Maharashtra, near about 8,550 hectare area is under turmeric cultivation.  
 

It gives best results, when grown on well drained loamy soils also in sandy or clay loam or red loamy soils. Avoid water stagnation in field as it cannot survive in water logged conditions.

Selum: Variety having broad leaves and dark yellow color, big rhizomes with thin peel.The variety takes 8.5-9 months in maturing.  Raw turmeric production is 140-160qtl/acre and whereas dried rhizomes with 28-32qtl/acre production.

Krushna: It is developed from Kadappa, with its characters are similar to Kadappa. Gives 30-35qtl/acre of dry turmeric. It is resistant to anthracnose.

Kadppa/Tekurpeta: Its rhizomes are long, thick. Resistance to Anthracnose. Yield Wet 50-60qtl/acre, dry turmeric 20-25qt/acre.

Kali Halad: Scented variety mostly used in cosmetic Industries.

Aambe Halad: Raw rhizomes gives smell of unripe mango. This variety is cultivated on large scale in Kokan region.

Kacchour: This variety is cultivated on large scale in Kokan region.

Ran Halad: Its rhizomes are big, round with orange color flesh.

Rajapuri: Variety having short, thick rhizomes. Near about 8-9 months are required for harvesting. The yield of raw turmeric is 23-24qtl/acre. 

Phule Swaroop: Developed by Mahatma krushi Vidyapeeth. Ready to harvest in 8-9 months. Resistant to blight and rhizome root fly. The yield of raw turmeric is 150qtl/acre and whereas for dried turmeric is 32.84qtl/acre. 

Other states varieties:

Amalapuram, Armour, Dindigam, Erode, Krishna, Kodur, Vontimitra, P317, GL Purm I and II, RH2 and RH10, Nizamabad bulb, Pant Lohit, Rajendra Sonia, Prabha, Swarna, Suguna, Surobha and Pratibha.

Prepared field by ploughing land, two - three times. After ploughing, do planking operation. For turmeric planting, beds of 15cm height, 1m width and of convenient length are prepared. Keep distance of 50cm between beds. To protect crop from termite attacked, mix sand@2kg with Chlorpyrifos@2kg in 2Ltr of water then spread this sand in field.

Time of sowing
15th April to 15th June is optimum time for turmeric sowing.

In some states, it is raised by transplanting method also. For that transplantation should be completed within first fortnight of June. For transplanting 35-45days old seedling is used. 

Spacing
Sow rhizomes in line and keep distance of 30cm between the row and 30cm between two plant. After rhizome planting, straw mulch@2.5ton/acre is applied in field. After mulching, pour cow dung slurry on bed.

Sowing Depth
Depth of soil should not exceed 3 to 5cm.

Method of sowing
Direct sowing also transplanting method is used for planting.
 

Seed Rate
For sowing, select fresh (weight near about 25gm) and diseased free rhizomes (mother rhizomes as well as fingers) are used. Seed rate of 1000kg is sufficient for sowing one acre land.

Seed treatment
Before sowing, carry out rhizome treatment with Quinolphos 25EC@20ml + Carbendazim@10gm/10Ltr of water and prepare solution. Then dip rhizomes for 20min in solution. It protects rhizomes from fungal infestation.
 

Apply Pendimethalin 30EC@1300ml per acre or Metribuzin 70WP@400gm/acre in 200Ltr of water within two - three days after planting rhizomes. After weedicide application, cover field with green manure or paddy straw.

Earthing up operation is carried to enhanced root development. 50-60days after planting take first earthing operation and next after 40days.

It is grown as rainfed crop so provide irrigation depending upon rainfall intensity and rainfall frequency. For light textured soil, in whole life cycle, 35-40 irrigations are required.

After planting, crop is mulched with green leaves@40-60qtl/acre. Repeat mulching@30qtl/acre after every fertilizer application.  

• Disease and their control:
  

Blight and leaf spots: If infestation of blight and leaf spot is observed, take spray of Mancozeb@30 gm or Carbendazim@30gm in 10 ltr water by interval of 15-20 alternatively. Or spray with Propiconazole@2ml/ltr of water.

Root or Rhizome Rot: To prevent crop from root rot, drench crop with Mancozeb@3gm/Ltr at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting.

Bacterial wilt: To prevent crop from bacterial wilt, drench plants with Copper oxychloride@3gm/Ltr of water immediately after disease is seen in field.

Leaf Blotch: If infestation is observed to control take spray of Mancozeb@20gm or Copper oxycloride@25gm/10Ltr of water.

• Pest and their control:
  

Rhizome fly: If Infestation of rhizome fly is observed in field, to control take spray of Acephate 75SP@600gm in 100Ltr of water. Repeat the spray with 15days interval.

Sucking pest: To control sucking pests take spray of neem based pesticide like Azadirachtin 0.3EC@ 2 ml/Ltr of water.

Shoot borer: If infestation of shoot borer is observed, take spray of Dimethoate@250ml/150Ltr or Quinalphos@250ml/150Ltr of water to control shoot borer.

Depending upon variety, it takes 6-9months for harvesting. Right time for harvesting of turmeric is when leaves of turmeric gets yellow and dry out completely, Remove rhizomes by dugging and after harvesting clean rhizomes. Then dry them in shades for 2-3days. It will make peel hard and easy for boiling.

After cleaning, rhizomes are boiled in water containing sodium bicarbonate (100gm sodium bicarbonate in 100Ltr water) for 1hour. For boiling of rhizomes, utensils, kadhai and boilers are used. To get better quality product, stop the boiling when froth comes out and white fumes appear giving out a typical odour (Price deciding factor). After boiling rhizomes are dried properly for 10-15days. After proper drying, polishing of rhizomes is done manually using wire mesh, gunny bags or mechanically by power operated drum. Then grading of polished rhizomes is done on basis of size, shape and color.