Effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and economics of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Amar Singh College, Lakhaoti, Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) to assess the influence of micronutrients on growth, yield and economics of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Eight treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that all the growth and yield attributing characters of turmeric responded significantly to the application of micronutrients, whether alone and/or in combination. Application of Zn was more effective in improving the growth, yield and economics as compared to Fe and B. Application of25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 along with RDF resulted in the maximum plant height (95.5 cm), highest number of tillers per plant (2.96), number of leaves per plant (25.0), number of rhizomes per plant (20.2); maximum fresh weight of rhizomes per plant (297.7 g) and the highest yield of turmeric (33.07 tha-1).The yield increment with RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 was 20.3% over the control. The performance of RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 ha-1 and RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 wasat par with RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 for the growth and yield attributes of turmeric. The lowest values of these parameters were recorded under control.An eeconomic assessment of different treatments revealed that the maximum net return (Rs.4,54,445ha-1) with the highest B:C ratio (2.89)was realized from the combined application of Zn + Fe + B along with RDFas compared to control with a net return of Rs. 3,43,517 ha-1and B:C ratio of 2.47.