Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Tepi National Spice Research Center for two consecutive years, to find out optimum planting material, population density and method of planting to enhance turmeric yield and quality at Tepi southwestern Ethiopia. Twenty four treatment combinations consist of 3 levels of planting material (Mother Rhizome, Primary Rhizome and Secondary Rhizome), 4 levels of population density (222,222 plants ha-1, 166,667 plants ha-1, 111, 111 plants ha-1 and 83,333 plants ha-1) and two planting methods (Ridged and Flat) were compared. From the two years data mother rhizome planting material, higher population density and ridge planting method showed better yield. Mother rhizome appeared the best planting material for producing highest fresh turmeric yield which is 857.79 g/plant- 67273.27 kg/ha during 2012-2013 and 527.11 g/plant-60695.94 kg/ha during 2013-2014 year. From the two years data we observed that least turmeric fresh yield was obtained from secondary planting materials. Planting density of 222,222 plants/ha produced the highest fresh turmeric yield of 60695.94 kg/ha and 49101.95 kg/ha for the year of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 respectively. With regard to planting method ridge planting method produced highest fresh rhizome yield of 59409.27 kg/ha for the first year though non-significant result was observed for the second year. Highest oleoresin content of turmeric was produced at mother rhizome planting material even if there was no significance difference between the different spacing. Population density and planting methods did not affect oleoresin content of turmeric. From this study it can be concluded that mother rhizome planting material, higher population density and ridge planting method showed better yield and quality of turmeric at Tepi southwestern Ethiopia.

Keywords: Plant density; Planting materials; Planting methods; Turmeric; Quality and yield