Photo-selective nets and metabolic elicitors influences the colour values of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder

Abstract

Turemric variety ‘IISR-Prathibha’ was grown under different photo-selective nets and sprayed with metabolic elicitors at different growth stages. The powder, obtained after processing the harvested rhizomes varied significantly for colour values and composition as analysed using a Lovibond R LC Chroma-Meter. A combination of providing yellow net and spraying with salicylic acid at 100 ppm was found to be highly beneficial for obtaining turmeric powder with maximum b* value, which is a major indicator of the colour value (55.20, 54.10 and 54.65 respectively) and was significantly superior over all other treatment combinations used in the study. Optimised growing environments by way of making provision for cultivating turmeric crop under photo-selective nets coupled with the application of a suitable metabolic elicitor may be considered as revealed in the present study to obtain turmeric powder of high quality with better consumer and industry preference.