Effect of variety, planting material and plant growth bio-regulant on turmeric performance under middle Gujarat condition

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the important spice crops currently receiving research attention to increase production and quality. A field experiment was therefore conducted at the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Project, Anand Agricultural University, Anandin 2012-13 and 2013-14 to determine the effect of variety, planting material, plant growth bio-regulant on growth, yield and quality performance of turmeric. Under the main plot treatment consists of two varieties of turmeric, Gujarat navsari Turmeric-1 ([V.sub.1]) and Sughandhum ([V.sub.2]) along with two planting materials like mother ([M.sub.1]) and finger ([M.sub.2]) rhizome of each variety. In sub plot treatments consists of foliar spray of plant growth bio-regulant at 90 days after planting, which included of IBA at two levels (100 and 200 mg [l.sup.-1]), NAA (50 and 100 mg [l.sup.-1]) and KN[O.sub.3] (2000 and 4000 mg [l.sup.-1]) with control (without spray). The growth, yield and quality contributing parameters were significantly differed during the individual years. The results revealed that mother rhizomes used as a planting material of variety Gujarat Navsari Turmeric-1 with NAA @ 100 mg [l.sup.-1] had significant effect for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves and tillers per plant; yield (t [ha.sup.-1]) as well as higher curcumin content (%) were also observed. Keywords: Turmeric, variety, planting material, IBA, NAA, KNO3, growth, yield, curcumin.