Effect of Cultural Practices on Leaf Blotch Severity and Yield in Turmeric

The influence of certain cultural practices like planting time, plant population density and raising barrier crops was studied on Taphrina maculans Butler incited leaf blotch intensity and yield in turmeric for two seasons. Planting turmeric later than the normal period although decreased leaf blotch intensity resulted in decreased yield. First fortnight of May to first fortnight of July was found to be the ideal planting period for optimising the reduction in disease severity and reaping high rhizome yield of turmeric in the Godavari basin of Andhra Pradesh. Planting turmeric at a spacing of 45 x 45 cm (49383 plants ha⁻¹) significantly reduced the leaf blotch intensity without any significant reduction in yield. Raising non-host barrier crops all around susceptible turmeric cultivar enhanced the leaf blotch disease development and caused a significant reduction in yield.