Effects of mulching, nitrogen and potassium levels on growth, yield and quality of turmeric grown in red lateritic soil

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous spice crop cultivated in India since ancient times. The major quantity of turmeric is utilized as a condiment and only a small quantity is used in cosmetics industry in India. The medicinal value of turmeric is well recognized in the Indian system of medicine. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of mulching, nitrogen and potassium levels on the growth, yield and quality of turmeric cv. Shillong grown in red lateritic soil. The experiment was carried out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The factors considered for evaluation were mulching (dry leaves and no mulch), nitrogen levels (120, 150 and 180 kg/ha) and potassium levels (130 kg, 160 and 190 kg/ha) with a constant phosphorus level of 60 kg/ha as basal. Urea and muriate of potash were used as the sources of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. Uniform cultural and plant protection measures were undertaken for all the treatments. The results indicated that mulching had significant influence on growth and yield of turmeric. Nitrogen at 150 kg/ha and potassium at 160 kg/ha had significantly better independent effect on almost all the parameters. The chlorophyll content of leaves and foliar nutrient composition also differed significantly with the treatments. However, the highest yield and curcumin content were noted with a combination of mulching + application of nitrogen and potassium at 120 and 160 kg/ha.