Evaluation of different turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) varieties in Southern Laterites of Kerala

Genetic variability was studied for rhizome yield and its contributing characters among twenty seven turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes. The analysis of variation revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all traits viz., plant height, number of tillers, number of primary rhizomes per plant, number of secondary rhizomes per plant, yield per plant, length of mother rhizome, girth of mother rhizome, weight of mother rhizome, length of primary rhizome, girth of primary rhizome, weight of primary rhizome, length of secondary rhizome, girth of secondary rhizome and weight of secondary rhizome. Turmeric variety Shobha recorded the highest fresh rhizome yield which was on par with the yield given by the variety Punjab Haldi II and local type Sadanandapuram local. PCV was higher than GCV for all the characters indicating the influence of environment in the expression of traits, while the difference varied among the traits. High PCV and correspondingly high GCV was recorded for the all the characters studied except girth of mother rhizome and secondary rhizome. High heritability coupled with high GA was observed for all characters except number of primary and secondary rhizomes per plant indicating the additive nature and scope of improvement of these characters by phenotypic selection.