Investigating the Influence of Rhizome Size and Treatment on Turmeric Crop Productivity (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2021-22 at the Department of Seed Technology, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University in Sardarkrushingar. It followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (Factorial concept) with three replications, utilizing the GNT 2 variety. The study aimed to investigate the effects of seven treatments and four rhizome sizes on various characteristics of turmeric. The results indicated that both the rhizome size R4 (mother rhizome) and treatment T4 (Chiller treatment at 4°C for 2 hours) significantly influenced all the measured traits. The mother rhizome (R4) exhibited the highest values for germination percentage (80.48%), plant height (64.52 cm), leaf length (36.96 cm), leaf width (13.50 cm), tillers per plant (3.21), mother rhizomes per plant (2.32), primary fingers per plant (7.33), secondary fingers per plant (7.94), rhizome length (14.89 cm), rhizome width (15.54 cm), and rhizome weight (185.25 g). Furthermore, among the different treatments, the chiller treatment (T4) at 4°C for 2 hours yielded significantly higher results for germination percentage (85.98%), plant height (65.35 cm), leaf length (34.51 cm), mother rhizomes per plant (2.38), primary fingers per plant (6.70), secondary fingers per plant (7.95), rhizome length (14.13 cm), rhizome width (15.58 cm), and rhizome weight (187.23 g). The sodium hypochloride treatment (T5) at 4% for 2 hours resulted in the maximum leaf width (12.96 cm) and the number of tillers per plant (3.24). In conclusion, these findings emphasize the potential benefits of pre-sowing rhizome treatment for enhancing turmeric crop cultivation, leading to improved crop performance.