Evaluation of high yielding turmeric varieties for Alappuzha district

Field experiments were conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to assess the performance of high yielding turmeric varieties, IISR - Prathibha and Pragati in Onattukara region of Alappuzha district. The trials were conducted at 10 farmers’ plots each during both the years and compared with traditionally cultivated local varieties. Observations on plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and number of clumps per plant were recorded in addition to the fresh and dried yield. The results showed that the plant height (135.3 cm), leaf length (61.3 cm), leaf width (15.8 cm) and number of clumps per plant (4.9) were higher in Prathibha variety compared to Pragati (109 cm; 51.25 cm; 12.9 cm; 3.25, respectively). IISR - Prathibha recorded the highest average yield of 20730 kg/ha followed by Pragati 20013 kg/ha compared to the farmers’ variety (12728 kg/ha). It could be concluded that both Prathibha and Pragati were suitable varieties for large scale cultivation of turmeric in Onattukara region of Alappuzha district.