GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) TO DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS AND RHIZOME SET SIZES IN NIGERIA Ihenaecho L.U. 1, Ibeawuchi I.I. 2, Iwuanyanwu U.P. 3, Ogbuehi H.C. 4 1,2,3,4 Department of Agricultural Technology, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, P.M.B 1472, Owerri Abstract The experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo situated at longitude 07 0 07 I E and latitude 07 0 00 I E in the humid tropical rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria to investigate the growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in response to different tillage systems and rhizome set sizes. The experiment was laid out in a split plot Design fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Treatments include tillage systems of bed, flat, ridge, and different rhizome set sizes of 6g, 12g and 18g. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of days to 50 percent flowering at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 WAP while yield values were determined at harvest 36 weeks after planting. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result indicates that ridge tillage systems and rhizome set size of 12g enhanced plant growth development and yield(440.70t/ha) than other treatments. Lowest yield (113.08t/ha) was consistently recorded at rhizome set size of 6g planted on flat tillage system. Keywords: Turmeric, rhizome set sizes, tillage systems, growth, yield. I. INTRODUCTION Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) isa herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family, zingiberaceae and other scitaminae. It originated in South-East Asia. It is grown in Bangladesh in about 16.06 thousand hectare with an annual production of 41.50 thousand tons (BBS, 2009). In Nigeria about 19 states are prominent in the cultivation of Turmeric and it is given different names depending on the locality (Olojedeet al, 2005). Turmeric is a horticultural root-crop that is important not only as a spice and cosmetics, but also as a medicinal plant worldwide (Herman and Martin, 1991; Ossawaet al, 1995; Sugiyama et al, 1996; Nakmuraet al, 1998; Ishimineet al, 2003; Hossain et al, 2005). It is possible to increase yield of crops in physically degraded soil by using organic resources after adopting appropriate tillage systems (Nyakatawaet al, 2001). However, appropriate soil tillage or seed bed type can be a suitable means to enhance nutrient availability to crop and therefore can reduce money spend on chemical fertilizers (Adekiya and Ojeniyi, 2002). One of the cultural practices that can moderate the soil organic matter, sustain the productivity of tropical soils and influence the performance of root crops is appropriate tillage. Since the rhizome is both the planting material and the economic yield of ginger, it is necessary to consider the size of planting material that is economically feasible to the grower (Girmaet al, 2008). Mother rhizome has been confirmed as the best planting material for turmeric production (Olojedeet al, 2005). However, it has been observed that quantities that may be produced during a planting season may not be sufficient for production. It is necessary to know the best tillage systems and rhizome set sizes which could help in increasing the production of turmeric. In view of this background, this study was aimed to evaluate the yields and yield attributes of turmeric under different tillage systems and set sizes. @IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved Page 29
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo-Ohaji situated on longitude 07 0 07 I E and latitude 07 0 00 I E. The study area is in the humid tropical rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. The experimental site was manually cleared with matchet and marked out in blocks. Preparations of bed, ridge was made using spade. The experiment was arranged in split plot design fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. Each replicate is made up of six (6) plots measuring 2m x 2m separated by 1m within blocks and 1.5m between replicate. Turmeric primary rhizomewere graded according to the following sizes, 6, 12g and 18g with an electronic weighing balance. The different rhizome set sizes were planted at a spacing of 50 x 30cm after seed bed preparation. Different tillage systems of bed, ridge and flat (zero treatment) and rhizome set sizes of 6g, 12g and 18g formed the treatments. All necessary agronomic practices were duly carried out as at when necessary till harvesting period. Parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf area andat 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP), number of days to 50% flowering while rhizome and dry matter yield were recorded at maturity (thirty six (36) weeks after planting). Data collected were subjected to ANOVA for split plot arrangement (technique) as outlined bygomez and Gomez (1984) while Duncan Multiple range test (DMRT) was used to separate treatment means. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Plants height The result of plant height presented in Table 1 show that plantings done on a ridge with 12g rhizome set size increased the plant height of turmeric at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 WAP. The highest plant height was obtained at 20 WAP (10.79cm), significantly different(p < 0.05) from other treatments. At 4 WAP, the values recorded in all the treatments were statistically the same.lowest value (5.93cm) was recorded from 6 grams rhizome planted on flat tillage system. Table 1:Effect of tillage systems and rhizome set sizes on the plant height of turmeric at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP) Mean Plant Height (cm) Bed x 18g 2.20 a 4.09 b 5.00 b 5.00 b 7.82 b Bed x 12g 2.25 a 4.10 b 5.13 b 5.50 b 7.23 b Bed x 6g 1.80 b 3.72 b 3.08 b 4.78 b 7.60 b Flat x 18g 2.05 a 3.61 b 4.84 b 5.19 b 7.07 b Flat x 12g 2.80 a 6.23 a 7.05 a 7.27 a 9.13 a Flat x 6g 2.10 a 2.18 c 3.45 b 3.94 b 5.93 c Ridge x 18g 2.94 a 6.19 a 7.13 a 7.40 a 8.97 b Ridge x 12g 3.29 a 7.55 a 8.00 a 8.65 a 10.79 a Ridge x 6g 2.16 a 4.13 b 4.70 b 7.13 a 8.14 b Number of leaves/plants Tillage systems and rhizome set size did not significantly influence(p < 0.05) the number of leaves/plant of turmeric at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting. The value obtained for all the treatments were statistically at par. At 20 WAP, bed and 18g rhizome set size of turmeric significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the leaf production of turmeric (7.82). However, the mean number of leaves obtained from bed tillage system and all the rhizome set sizes 6, 12, 18g were statistically @IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved Page 30
the same but different from other treatments. The lowest (5.30) value was obtained from flat tillage system with rhizome set size of 6g. The result is presented at (Table 2). Table 2: Effect of tillage systems and rhizome set sizes on the number of leaves of turmeric at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP) Mean Number of Leaves Bed x 18g 2.73 a 3.86 a 4.73 a 5.00 a 7.82 a Bed x 12g 2.83 a 4.70 a 4.95 a 5.13 a 7.17 a Bed x 6g 2.80 a 4.08 a 4.13 a 4.56 a 7.64 a Flat x 18g 3.23 a 4.91 a 5.03 a 5.33 a 5.93 b Flat x 12g 3.10 a 5.13 a 5.43 a 5.71 a 5.75 b Flat x 6g 2.80 a 3.83 a 4.13 a 4.35 a 5.30 b Ridge x 18g 2.65 a 4.91 a 5.24 a 5.40 a 5.51 b Ridge x 12g 2.65 a 4.45 a 5.45 a 5.73 a 5.90 b Ridge x 6g 2.21 a 4.61 a 5.05 a 5.13 a 5.59 b Leaf Area(Cm 2 ) Leaf area was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by tillage systems and rhizome set sizes in the experiment. However at 4 and 8 WAP, the highest (32.95/cm 2 ) leaf area was obtained from flat tillage system with rhizome set size of12g and (31. 18cm 2 ) from ridge and 12g respectively which were statistically the same. At 8 WAP the highest value of 51.15cm 2 was recorded for flat and 12g rhizome set size, flat and 6g rhizome set size also recorded 51.15cm 2.At 20 WAP, Ridge and rhizome size of 12g significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the leaf area of turmeric (83.11/cm 2 ). The lowest (36.62/cm 2 ) was recorded at flat with 6g rhizome (Table 3). Table 3: Effect of tillage systems and rhizome set sizes on the leaf area of turmeric at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP) Mean Leaf Area (cm 2 ) Bed x 18g 27.95 b 34.63 c 35.13 a 40.42 c 51.31 c Bed x 12g 29.20 b 33.42 c 39.46 d 47.6 c 60.31 b Bed x 6g 19.14 c 26.49 c 34.56 d 37.6 d 52.30 c Flat x 18g 28.03 b 32.66 c 37.37 d 45.7 c 47.69 c Flat x 12g 32.95 a 51.15 a 57.45 b 56.80 b 65.30 b Flat x 6g 16.58 d 51.15 a 57.45 b 56.80 b 65.30 b Ridge x 18g 23.85 b 41.91 b 42.86 c 45.31 c 58.90 c Ridge x 12g 31.18 a 49.25 b 71.30 a 81.93 a 83.11 a Ridge x 6g 15.85 e 27.86 d 32.27 d 33.10 d 69.47 b Number of days to 50 percent flowering Tillage and set size significantly influenced the flowering of turmeric. Using rhizome set size of 12 grams on ridge tillage systems reduced the number of days to 50 percent flowering to 125.08days significantly different (P < 0.05) from other treatments. The use of 6g rhizome set size prolonged the number of days to 50% flowering to 169.25 days thereby increasing the number of days taken for the crop to flower. Summary of the result is shown on (Table 4). @IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved Page 31
Dry Matter Yield The result indicated a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the dry matter yield of turmeric. The highest dry matter yield of 42.58t/ha was recorded from ridge tillage systems with rhizome set size of 12g. Lowest dry matter yield of 22.58t/ha was recorded from the 6g rhizome set sizes planted on flat tillage system (Table 4). Rhizome Yield Tillage and rhizome set sizes of turmeric significantly increased the yield of turmeric at harvest. Rhizome set size of 12g planted on ridge gave a yield of 440.77t/ha significantly different (P < 0.05) from others.lowest yield of 113.08t/ha was recorded for rhizome set size of 6g planted on flat tillage system (Table 4). Table 4: Effect of tillage systems and rhizome set sizes and on the number of days to 50% flowering, dry matter and rhizome yield at harvest. Treatment source Number of days to 50 percent flowering Rhizome yield Dry matter Bed x 18g 142.41 b 143.25 f 23.08 c Bed x 12g 145.00 c 215.75 c 31.25 b Bed x 6g 168.25 d 158.16 e 27.41 c Flat x 18g 163.00 e 165.00 d 31.93 b Flat x 12g 163.00 e 321.58 b 35.58 b Flat x 6g 163.00 e 113.08 g 22.58 c Ridge x 18g 149.41 d 219.91 c 30.08 b Ridge x 12g 125.08 a 440.77 a 42.58 a Ridge x 6g 169.25 e 193.75 d 31.83 b IV. DISCUSSION The planting of large rhizome set sizes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on ridge tillage system has a pronounced effect on the production of turmeric. Rhizome set sizes of 12g planted on ridge produced the highest rhizome and dry matter yield. The greater performance of turmeric yield on ridge could be traced to the tendency of the soil which were tilled to give the roots of the plants a suitable soil medium to established well and in turn resulted to good root development.several studies have confirmed that ridge tillage system significantly increased the performance of crops. Walter, (2004), previous findings showed that yam grown on ridge produced more than those on mounds. Also Erhabor, (2002), reported better yield from ridges when compared with flat tillage system. The significant increase in the production of turmeric crop planted on ridge agrees with the findings of Ihenachoet al,(2014),that turmeric plants on a ridge performed better than turmeric plants on flat and bed tillage systems in terms of plant height, number of leaves, days to 50% flowering, yield and dry matter accumulation. The increase in yield and other parameters recorded due to the use of large rhizome set sizes could be due to larger buds and larger amount of food reserves in the larger seed rhizomes which enhanced plant growth as observed in ginger (Blayet al, 1988) and turmeric (Hossain et al, 2005). The use of large rhizome set sizes of rhizomatous crops such as turmeric is found to be beneficial in terms of yield and growth. This agrees with the work of Whiley, 1990, Borget, 1993. Different rhizome set sizes of turmeric crop planted on bed and flat tillage system did not have effect on the performance of turmeric throughout the experimental period. Planting on bed and flat tillage system requires large rhizome set sizes for optimum production of turmeric. @IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved Page 32
V. CONCLUSION The result of the experiment proved that large rhizome set sizes of 12g planted on ridge performed better than small rhizome set sizes planted on other tillage systems like flat and bed in terms of yield and other parameters investigated. Therefore the use of large rhizome set sizes on ridge is more appropriate for turmeric production. BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] Adekiya A.O and S.O. Ojeniyi (2002): Evaluation of tomatoes growth and soil properties under method of seedling bed preparation in an alfisol Rainforest zone of South West Nigeria. Soil tillage Res. 64: 275 279. [2] BBS 2009. Statistical year book of Bangladesh (2008): Bangladesh Bureau of statistics, Ministry of Planning, Government of the people Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka 586p. [3] Blay, E.T., E.Y. Danquash and G. Animkwapong (1998): Influence of set size and spacing on yield and multiplication ratio of ginger (ZingiberofficinaleRosc).Ghana Journal of Agric. Science 31:175 180. [4] Borget M. (1993): Spice plants. The tropical Agriculturist.Macmillan London. [5] Erhabor E.A. (2002): The Effect of tillage types on the yield of two yam varieties. Tropical Journal of root and tuber crops 2(1): 65 71. [6] Girma HaileMichael and KindieTesfaye (2008): Effects of seed Rhizome size on the growth yield and Economic Return of Ginger (ZingiberOfficinaleRosc) Asian Journal of plant sciences 7: 213 217. [7] Gomez K. A. and Gomez H.A (1984) Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. John Wiley and Sons New York. Pp 19 97. [8] Herman P.T.A., Martin A.W. (1991): Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica57:1-7. [9] Hossain M.A., Y, Ishimine; H. Akamine and K. Motomura (2005a): Effects of seed rhizome on growth and yield of turmeric (curcuma longa L.) Plant Prod. Science 8:86 94. [10] Ihenacho L.U., Okorie H.A., Christo I. E., Peter Onoh C.A. (2014) Performance of turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) under different tillage systems in a tropical degraded ultisol, Proceeding of the 10 th National Conference on Organic Agriculture Organic Agriculture Research: A catalyst for Sustainable National Agricultural Transformation Agenda Nov. 17 th 20 th Nov. 2014, LAUTECH Ogbomosho,Nigeria. PP 51 56. [11] Ishimine Y; Hossain M.A., Ishimine Y. and Murayama S. (2003): Optimal Planting depth for (curcuma longa) cultivation in Dark red soil in Okinawa Island, Southern Japan. Plant production Science 6: 83 89. [12] Nakamura Y, Ohto Y, Murakami A, Osawa T, Ohiagashi H. (1998): Inhibitory effects of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcuminoids on tumor promoter-induced reactive oxygen species generation in leukocytes in vitro and in vivo. Japan journal of cancer research 89:361 370. [13] Nyakatawa E.Z., K.C. Reddy and K.R. Sistani (2001): Tillage cover cropping and poultry liter effects on soil chemical properties. Soil tillage 58:69 79. [14] Olojede A.O. Nwokocha C.C., Dalyop T. (2005): Effect of Variety, rhizome and seedbed types on growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa Lin) under low attitude agro-ecology. National Root crops research institute Umudike Annual Report 2005, Pp 92 94. [15] Osawa T. Sugiyama, Y. Inayoshi, M. and Kawakishi S. (1995): Anti-oxidative activity of tetrahydrocucurminoids. Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemical, 59:1609 1612. [16] Sugiyama T, Kawakishi S, Osawa T. (1996): Involvement of the J3-Diketone moiety in the anti-oxidative mechanism of tetrahydrocurcumin. Biochemical Pharmacology 52:519 525. [17] Walter, W.F. (2004) The impact of tillage and planting time on the yield of red yam. Journal of Agriculture and environment 2 (1):53 66. [18] Whiley A.W. (1990): Effect of seed piece and planting density on harvested knob size and yield in two cultivars of ginger (Zingiber officinal Rosc) grown in South East Queensland. Acta Hort. (ISHS), 275: 167 172. @IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved Page 33