Response of Turmeric Curcuma longa l Varieties to Methods of Irrigation and Graded Levels of Fertilizer

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the newlineresponse of turmeric varieties to methods of irrigation and graded levels of fertilizer at newlineAgricultural Research Station, Kalloli, using split-split plot design replicated thrice. newlineTreatment comprised of irrigation methods in main plot (Drip, Ridges and furrow and newlineSprinkler each at 50 per cent depletion of available soil moisture-DASM), genotypes in newlinesub plot (cv. Cuddapah and cv. Pratibha and graded levels of fertilizer in sub-sub plot newline(180:90:90, 225:112.5:135 and 270:135:180 kg N:P 2O5:K2O ha-1) with one control newline(Furrow irrigation at weekly interval with cv. Cuddapah and application of 180:90:90 newlinekg N:P2O5:K2O ha -1). newlineDrip irrigation at 50 per cent DASM recorded significantly higher cured finger newlinerhizomes (3.67 t ha-1) and curcumin yield (188.2 kg ha-1) and water use efficiency newline(WUE) of 258.5 kg ha-cm-1 with water saving of 31.6 per cent over control. Cudappah newlinevariety was superior over cv. Pratibha in cured finger rhizomes yield (3.59 t ha -1). newlinePratibha variety resulted in higher curcumin content (6.30 %) and curcumin yield (201.1 newlinekg ha-1). Application of 270:135:180 kg N:P 2O5:K2O ha -1 resulted in higher cured finger newlinerhizomes (3.51 t ha -1) and curcumin yield (178.5 kg ha-1) which was on par with newline225:112.5:135 kg N:P 2O5:K2O ha -1. newlineDrip irrigation at 50 per cent DASM with cv. Cudappah and 270:135:180 kg newlineN:P 2O5:K2O ha-1 recorded significantly higher cured finger rhizomes yield (4.07 t ha -1) newlineand WUE (282.4 kg ha -cm-1). Drip irrigation at 50 per cent DASM with cv. Pratibha newlineand 270:135:180 kg N:P 2O5:K2O ha-1 recorded higher curcumin yield (241.5 kg ha -1), newlineB-C ratio (2.71) and net return ( 2.83 lakh ha-1) which was on par with drip irrigation newlineat 50 per cent DASM with 225:112.5:135 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 cv. Pratibha and newlinecv. Cudappah. Results indicated that irrespective of the varieties, drip irrigation with newlineapplication of 225:112.5:135 kg N:P 2O5:K2O ha-1 resulted in higher yield and newlineeconomics. newline