Organic Turmeric Production: Effect of Seed Rhizome Size, Bioinoculant(vam)& Bioformulations on Growth, Yield and Quality of Turmeric cv Salem

Field trial on the effect of seed rhizome size, microbial bio- inoculant (VAM) and bioformulations on growth, yield and quality of turmeric cv. Salem was carried out during 2012-13 at K.R.C.C.H, Arabhavi, Karnataka. Trial on seed rhizome size was laid out as RBD with seven treatments, replicated thrice. Among seven seed rhizome sizes, highest cured yield (10.41 t/ha), processing percentage (30.93), curcumin content (4.83%) and volatile oil content (1.34%) was obtained by planting of whole mother rhizome of 25 g size followed by cut mother rhizome of 25 g size. A separate field trial on the effect of microbial bio- inoculant (VAM) and bioformulations was laid out in split plot design with two main (With or without VAM) and nine sub treatments (Bio-formulations), replicated thrice. Inoculation of VAM resulted in higher cured yield (9.25 t/ha) than the uninoculated control (6.00 t/ha). Processing percentage (30.45),curcumin content (4.42%) and volatile oil content (1.17%) were higher in turmeric crop inoculated with VAM. The highest benefit cost ratio was also recorded by T9M1(4.81)followed by T8M1(4.07)compared to the lowest recorded by T1M2(1.64).

Organic Production of Black Pepper, Ginger and Turmeric

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is an important spice crop of India. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is another important spice crop known for its aromatic and medicinal properties. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a spice crop known for its cosmetic properties. Both ginger and turmeric belong to the Zingiberaceae family.