Augmenting Growth and Yield of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under Drip Fertigation

Curcuminoids are the major metabolites of turmeric rhizome which comprises of three major forms are curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and Bis-demethoxy curcumin. Volatile oils include dα-phellandrene, d-sabinene, borneol, zingiberene and sesquiterpenes. The performance of turmeric crop under different levels of drip fertigation was assessed at the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during March 2023 to January 2024. Turmeric variety Kanthi was used for the study. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of four fertigation levels (50, 100, 150 and 200 % of RDF of KAU) and sub plot treatments comprised three fertigation schedules (3, 7 and 15 days interval). Growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers, stem girth and leaf area were assessed at bimonthly intervals and fresh rhizome yield was assessed at harvest (8 MAP). A 27.87% increase in yield was noticed in drip fertigation over the conventional method. Drip fertigation with 200% recommended dose of fertilizers of KAU at 3 days interval was found superior in growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers and leaf area and fresh rhizome yield of turmeric compared with conventional methods. Thus, a drip fertigation recommendation of 60:60:120 kg of NPK ha-1 applied in 3 days interval starting from 45 DAP to 180 DAP can be suggested for turmeric cultivation under Kerala conditions.