Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on nutrient contents and uptake of turmeric (curcuma longa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy-cum-winter seasons of 2009–10 and 2010–11 to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on nutrient contents and uptake of turmeric var. PCT-8. Poultry manure @ 5 t/ha recorded highest N, P and K contents in turmeric rhizomes equally followed by vermicompost and then pig manure each@ 5 t/ha. Vermicompost producing 101.78 q/ha fresh rhizomes took up the maximum nutrients (161.65 kg N, 54.16 kg P and 110.53 kg K/ha). In case of inorganic sources, 100% RDF (N₁₈₀P₆₀K₁₂₀) producing maximum 101.82 q rhizomes/ha resulted in highest percentage of NPK contents as well as their uptake per hectare. The combined input (organic x inorganic sources) further augmented the uptake of these nutrients. In case of rhizome yield, the treatment interactions were non-significant. The findings suggest that due to heavy withdrawal of nutrients by turmeric crop as a result of improved production technology, the succeeding crops must be nourished properly based on soil test values.