TURMERIC

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. Rhizomes are used for propagation. Its leaves are long, broad and of bright green color and flowers are of pale yellow color. India is 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, Andra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala are major producers of Turmeric. 

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.

Pant Peetabh:  The variety matures in 225 days and it gives an average yield of 100qtl/acre.

Local Haldi: The rhizomes are deep yellow in color. In plain areas, it gives an average yield of 28-30qtl/acre and in hilly areas; it gives an average yield of 50-75qtl/acre.

PTC 24: It is also known as Suroma. The variety is grown in high and plain areas. The variety matures in 210 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 20qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 84qtl/acre.

PTC 10: It is also known as Roma. The variety matures in 253 days. It gives total of 187qtl/acre of tubers, from which it produces 84qtl/acre of fresh rhizomes and 28qtl/acre of dried rhizomes.

RH 10: It is also known as Soniya. The variety is suitable for plain areas. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 18-20qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 200qtl/acre.

Sugandham: The rhizomes are reddish yellow in color. The variety matures in 210 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 20qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 62qtl/acre.

Sudarshan: Its rhizomes are thick and fleshy. The variety matures in 190 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 34qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 116-125qtl/acre.

PCT 13:  The average yield of dry rhizomes is 29-30qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 116-120qtl/acre. The variety matures in 190 days.

BSR 1: Small tubers are yellow in color. The variety matures in 280 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 25qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 125qtl/acre.

CO 1: Plants are strong and it attains the height of 45-60cm.  The variety matures in 270 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 20-35qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 125qtl/acre.

BSR 2: The variety matures in 245 days. It gives an average yield of 136qtl/acre.

Suvarna (PCT 10): The rhizomes are medium in sizes which are deep purple in color. The variety matures in 210 days. The average yield of dry rhizomes is 18qtl/acre and of fresh rhizomes is 70qtl/acre.

Krishna: The variety matures in 255 days. It gives an average yield of 16qtl/acre of dry rhizomes and 37.5qtl/acre of fresh rhizomes.

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
The optimum time for sowing is February to July month and in hilly areas sowing is done in March to June month. 

Spacing
Sow rhizomes in line and keep distance of 30cm between the row and 20cm 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 3cm.

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 8qtl 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.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At the time of field preparation, apply well decomposed cow dung@200-250qtl/acre in soil. Apply N:P:K@16:32:25 kg/acre in form of Urea@34 kg/acre, SSP@200kg/acre and MOP@42kg/acre. Full dose of Potash and Phosphorus are applied at time of rhizome planting. Nitrogen dose is given in two equal splits. First half dose of N is given 75 days after planting and remaining half dose is given three month after planting. 

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. 

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.


 

• 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 90days 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 to control take spray of Dimethoate@250ml/150Ltr or Quinalphos@250ml/150Ltr of water.

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 should be 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.