Character association studies in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an important spice crop being grown in India belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. Experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field of Mysuru district in Karnataka for two growing seasons and ‘IISR Prathibha’ variety was used. Correlation co-efficients were worked out for the various growth, physiological, yield and quality parameters. Highly significant and positive association of plant height (0.91), number of leaves (0.89), number of tillers (0.86), secondary rhizome weight (0.81), mother rhizome weight (0.80), chlorophyll content (0.71), mother rhizome number (0.64), leaf area (0.62), leaf area index (0.62) and primary rhizome weight (0.52) with fresh rhizome yield was observed. A significant and negative correlation was observed for ar-turmerone content with PAL activity (-0.43) and curcumin content (-0.39). Between the SPAD values and the curcumin content, the association was highly significant and positive (0.55).