Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cv. Rajendra Sonia

The present experiment was conducted during the year 2011-2012 to evaluate the integrated effect of nutrient application on growth, yield and quality of turmeric cv. Rajendra Sonia. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments, which was replicated thrice. The different treatment combinations were; T0 full dose of RDF with chemical fertilizers (60:50:120 kg NPK/ha), T1 75% N through urea + 25% N through Vermicompost, T2 75% N through urea + 25% N through Poultry manure, T3 75% N through urea + 25% N through Farmyard manure, T4 50% N through urea + 50% N through Vermicompost, T5 50% N through urea + 50% N through Poultry manure, T6 50% N through urea + 50% N through Farmyard manure, T7 25% N through urea + 25% N through Vermicompost, T8 25% N through urea + 25% N through Poultry manure and T9 25% N through urea + 25% N through Farmyard manure. The results clearly indicated that the treatment T5 significantly increased plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, number of leaves/plant and number of tillers/clump, followed by T4 over the control. The highest fresh rhizome yield (154.18 q/ha), dry rhizome yield (34.73 q/ha) and curcumin content (5.2%) were recorded in the treatment T5. The benefit cost ratio (3.45) was also obtained in this treatment.