Studies on the Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Quality Parameters of Turmeric

Abstract

Background: The health of the soil is negatively impacted by chemical fertilizer sources and plants are less able to absorb the readily available nutrients. The current study used several nutrition sources to reduce the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers, boost nutrient availability and preserve health. Methods: The present experiment was conducted in a field laboratory during 2017-19. 4 different manures, 3 different bio-fertilizers and graded levels of NPK were applied in the form of 13 treatments. Data on the vegetative development of turmeric plants were collected before harvesting and quality data were obtained after harvesting and some processing. Result: Vermicompost + NPK (100%) + Biofertilizers showed the highest results by considering the leaf number (23.64), tiller number (4.25) and height of plant (191.74 cm). Higher dry recovery (23.56%), oleoresin (13.48%) and curcumin content (6.16%). Alternative sources of nutrients are reducing the dose of chemical fertilizers application as well as improving the vegetative growth and quality of turmeric rhizome. In this way, we can replace 25-50% of chemical fertilizers with organic sources and enhance the soil health for plant growth and production.