Evaluation of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Varieties for Rainfed Cultivation

Field experiments were carried out for two years at Agricultural Research Station, Seethampeta, Srikakulam Dist., Andhra Pradesh, to identify suitable turmeric cultivars for tribal areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh for rainfed cultivation. Ten cultivars were screened for their performance for comparison with the most popular local cultivar, 'Seethampeta local'. All the cultivars tested outperformed the local cultivar. Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 were better in terms of plant height (93.43cm and 92.70cm, respectively) and mean number of tillers / plant (2.16 and 2.21 respectively). Per cent curing was highest in PTS-38 (28.5), followed by PTS-24 (25.7) and CLL-326 (25.2). Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 recorded highest mean yield of both fresh and cured rhizomes. Yield of fresh rhizomes was positively correlated to number of tillers and number of leaves, while, yield of cured rhizomes was significantly influenced by per cent curing and number of leaves. Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 recorded highest mean yield (23.08 t ha^-1 and 22.93 t ha^-1, respectively) and were identified as suitable varieties for rainfed cultivation in tribal areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.