Effect of Shade and Integrated Nutrient Management on Biochemical Constituents of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of partial shade, inorganic, organic and biofertilizers on biochemical constituents and quality of turmeric. The study was laid out in split plot design, consisting of two main plots viz., open and shade. The sub-plot treatments consisted of different doses of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures, biofertilizers and growth stimulants constituting of 40 different treatment combinations. The treatment combinations, viz., shade with application of 100 % recommended dose of NPK + 50 % FYM (15 t ha^-1) + coir compost (10 t ha^-1) + Azospirillum (10 kg ha^-1) + phosphobacteria (10 kg ha^-1) + 3 % panchagavya showed increased total chlorophyll content, total phenol content and registered the highest yield per plot. On the contrary, provision of shade decreased the curing percentage as compared to open condition. Among the quality characters, the highest curcumin (5.57 %) and essential oil (5.68 %) content were registered in the treatment, shade with application of 50 % FYM + coir compost + Azospirillum (10 kg ha^-1) + phosphobacteria (10 kg ha^-1) + 3 % panchagavya.