Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
General Overview
- Common Name: Turmeric
- Botanical Name: Curcuma longa
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Type: Herbaceous perennial (grown as annual)
- Origin: India and Southeast Asia
- Economic Part: Rhizome
- Trade Type: Alleppey Finger Turmeric – Globally famous for deep color & curcumin content
- Major Chemical Compound: Curcumin (Phenolic compound, gives turmeric its antioxidant property)
Area & Production
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
India’s Share |
76% of total world turmeric production |
|
Leading State |
Andhra Pradesh |
|
Other Producing States |
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala |
Climatic Requirements
|
Parameter |
Range |
|
Annual Rainfall |
640 mm to 4290 mm (well-distributed) |
|
Temperature Range |
18.2°C to 27.4°C |
|
Altitude |
Upto 1500 m |
|
Sunlight |
Requires partial to full sunlight |
|
Best Season |
Planting: May–June (South India) or June–July (North India) |
Soil Requirements
|
Factor |
Preferred Condition |
|
Soil Type |
Loamy or sandy loam, well-drained, fertile |
|
Soil pH |
5.5 – 7.5 |
|
Soil Richness |
High in organic matter |
Propagation & Planting
|
Factor |
Details |
|
Propagation |
By Rhizomes |
|
Seed Material |
Whole or mother rhizomes |
|
Seed Rate |
2500 kg/ha |
|
Planting Time |
Pre-monsoon (May–June) |
|
Spacing |
30 × 25 cm or 45 × 30 cm |
Recommended Varieties
|
S.No |
Variety |
Remarks |
|
1 |
Rajendra Sonia |
High yield |
|
2 |
Prabha |
Tolerant to leaf blotch |
|
3 |
Prationa |
Improved variety |
|
4 |
Kranti |
Good for dry turmeric |
|
5 |
Krishna |
High curcumin content |
|
6 |
Roma |
Medium maturing |
|
7 |
Rashmi |
Good rhizome size |
|
8 |
Srobha |
Moderately tolerant |
|
9 |
Sudarshana |
High yield |
Irrigation Management
|
Stage |
Water Requirement |
|
Rainfed |
One life-saving irrigation may be required |
|
Irrigated |
10–15 irrigations at 7–10 day intervals |
|
Critical Stage |
Rhizome development stage |
Harvesting & Post-harvest
|
Parameter |
Detail |
|
Harvesting Time |
7–9 months after planting (Jan–Mar) |
|
Harvest Indicator |
Leaves turn yellow and start drying |
|
Processing |
Boiling, drying, polishing, and coloring |
|
Drying |
Sun drying for 10–15 days |
|
Moisture Content |
Below 10% for safe storage |
Yield
|
Type |
Yield (tonnes/ha) |
|
Fresh Rhizome |
25–30 t/ha |
|
Dry Rhizome |
5.5 – 7.0 t/ha |
|
Recovery % |
20–25% (dry from green) |
Pests and Diseases
|
Problem |
Causal Organism/Insect |
Control |
|
Rhizome rot |
Pythium spp. |
Bordeaux mixture, crop rotation |
|
Leaf blotch |
Taphrina maculans |
Mancozeb spray |
|
Shoot borer |
Conogethes punctiferalis |
Quinalphos spray |
|
Scales and Mites |
– |
Neem oil, systemic insecticides |
Quick Facts for Revision
- India’s Global Share: 76% of world production
- Best Trade Type: Alleppey Finger Turmeric
- Main Chemical: Curcumin (Antioxidant)
- Yield: 25–30 t/ha
- Propagation: Rhizome @ 2500 kg/ha
- Top Producing State: Andhra Pradesh
- Fruit Type: Rhizome (modified stem)
- Temperature Range: 18.2°C–27.4°C
- Rainfall Range: 640–4290 mm
