2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 4

author(s)
CK Thankamani, V Srinivasan and C Sarathambal

abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an herbaceous perennial belongs to the family Zingiberaceae is one of the export oriented crop. Turmeric is grown for its underground rhizome which is mainly used as spice or condiments. Use of organic manure for crop production is gaining momentum as the organically produce products get high economic return and they are environmentally safe compared with inorganic fertilizers. Response of turmeric varieties to different nutrient regimes is diverse. Present experiment is aimed to study the influence of various management systems on yield of turmeric varieties under rain fed conditions. The experiment was conducted for the period of 2019-2022 using the varieties Prathibha, Alleppey supreme, Varna, Shoba, Sona, Kanthi, Suvarna, Suguna, Sudarsana, Kedaram, Prabha and Pragati. Maximum yield was recorded by the treatment Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) 50%+50% (30.3 t/ha) that was on par with organic 100% (29.8 t/ha). Soil enzymes are known to play significant roles in improving soil health and its environment. In the present study, maximum acid phosphatase activity was noticed in organic 100% followed by INM 50%+50%. Similarly, maximum alkaline phosphatase activity was noticed in organic 100% followed by organic 75% and then INM 50%+50%. Maximum dehydrogenase activity was noticed in organic 100% followed by organic 75% and then INM 75+25%. Correlations between soil microbiological and soil nutrient variables were studied and found that soil nitrogen content is correlated with dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activity and is highly correlated with dehydrogenase enzyme activity. Soil phosphorus content is well correlated with alkaline phosphatase and there is no correlation between soil potassium content with any of the enzymes. Both Integrated nutrient management (50%+50%) and organic management 100% are suggested to improve yield and soil microbial properties of the turmeric crop.