Effect of different intercropping and mulching on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

The field experiment entitled “Effect of different intercropping and mulching on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)” was conducted at students’ research farm, Khalsa College, Amritsar during kharif season of 2020-21. The soil of the experimental field was categorized as sandy loam. The soil reaction pH ranged from 7.7 to 8.4. The maximum pH (8.4) was observed in open condition followed by soil under sugarcane plantation and least were observed in peach. The value of OC (%), available N, P and K were higher under peach as compared to sugarcane plantation and open conditions. The field experiment was laid out in Factorial split-plot design with three intercropping system viz. T3 (turmeric + peach), T2 (turmeric + sugarcane) along with T1 (turmeric sole) in main plots while the three different mulching rates viz. M8 (Mulching @8t ha-1), M4 (Mulching @4t ha-1) and M0 (Mulching @0t ha-1) in sub plots with four replications. Results indicated that growth parameters such as plant height (90.1 cm), number of leaves (12.9), LAI (4.2) were highest in intercropping as compared to control, whereas yield parameters such as number of tillers (2.9), Fresh (189.5 g) and dry weight (34.9) of rhizomes, fresh (174.2 q ha-1), dry (38.2 q ha-1) and processed yield (36.5 q ha-1) were recorded higher in T1 as compared to T2 and least were found in T3. The oil (8.23 %) and curcumin content (1.8%) increased with intercropping. On the other hand, it was observed that application of paddy straw mulch resulted in significantly higher emergence count (81.9 %), plant height (89.8 cm), number of leaves (12.7), LAI (4.1) number of tillers (2.8), number of rhizomes (15.1), Fresh (193.4g) and dry rhizome weight (35.2g) and Fresh yield (174.2 q ha-1), Dry yield (38.2 q ha-1) and processed rhizome yield (36.4 q ha-1) of turmeric. These parameters were significantly higher in M8 over M4 and M0. Application of straw mulch resulted in higher curcumin (1.85 %) and oil content (8.15 %). So it was concluded that paddy straw mulch application @ 8t ha-1 is resulted higher rhizome yield and growth parameters and thus improved performance of turmeric.