Secondary Rhizomes Research Articles

Effect of growth regulators on the growth and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) under polyhouse condition

The experiment has been conducted to resolve the poor partitioning of dry matter towards rhizome by using plant growth regulators (PGRs). Therefore, two pot culture experiments were conducted during 2020-22 using the variety IISR Varada to investigate the effects of foliar application of PGRs (6-BAP, cycocel, GA3 and PBZ at five different concentrations viz. control, 50ppm, 100ppm,150ppm and 200ppm in three replications) on growth and yield. The experiment was laid out in Factorial CRD design under polyhouse condition. The results revealed that 6-BAP at 100ppm significantly increased the number of tillers, secondary rhizomes, tertiary rhizomes, length, diameter of rhizomes, and rhizome yield (322.3g/ plant) which is 240% more than the control.

Genetic Divergence among On-farm Collections for Yield and Yield-related Traits in Ginger (Zingiber officinale R.)

The present investigation was carried out at the farmer’s field Neshwi village, Haveri District of Karnataka, India during kharif season (May, 2021 to January, 2022). The improvement of crop relies heavily on genetic diversity. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic divergence of 76 diverse genotypes of ginger collected from different parts of the Karnataka, India which including four checks. The genetic divergence of ginger genotypes was assessed using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Genetic divergence studies revealed considerable genetic diversity among 76 genotypes of ginger for a set of ten quantitative traits pertaining to the growth and yield characters viz., height of the shoot (cm), leaf area (cm2), number of primary rhizomes, length of the primary rhizome (cm), girth of the primary rhizome (cm), number of secondary rhizomes, length of the secondary rhizome (cm), girth of the secondary rhizome (cm), crop duration (number of days) and rhizome yield plant-1 (g). Analysed 76 ginger genotypes were clustered based on similarities between their D2 values using Tocher’s method, resulting in 14 distinct groups. Considerable diversity within and between 14 clusters was observed among the genotypes. The characteristics such as average rhizome yield plant-1, girth of the primary rhizome and length of the primary rhizome were the main factors in differentiating the genotypes of ginger studied. Utilizing genotypes from clusters with high inter-cluster distances, such as clusters VI and XIII, VI and XIV and X and XIV can form potential pre-breeding material for the improvement of ginger crop.

The Effect of Different Mulches and Bed Sizes on Growth, Yield and Quality of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Under the Mid-Hill Zone of Himachal Pradesh

The present investigation was carried out in the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India during kharif, May, 2020–January, 2021 to examine the effect of different mulches and bed sizes on the growth, yield and quality of turmeric. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design (factorial) with 9 treatment combinations, including 3 mulches (silver-black mulching film, pine needles and dry grass) with 3-bed sizes (9×1 m2, 6×1 m2 and 3×1 m2), which were triplicated. Turmeric yield proved to be significantly affected by mulching materials with silver-black mulching film producing the highest yield (32.01 t ha-1) whereas pine needles produced the lowest yield (23.85 t ha-1). Rhizome length and breadth, the number of primary and secondary rhizomes, dry recovery, essential oil, oleoresin and curcumin content were some of the yield and quality characteristics that have been improved by the use of silver-black mulching film. Bed size also provided a significant effect on the yield of turmeric with the highest (29.03 t ha-1) in bed size 9×1 m2 whereas lowest in 3×1 m2 (25.75 t ha-1). A combination of silver-black mulching film and 9×1 m2 bed size provided the significantly highest turmeric yield (33.56 t ha-1). This study recommends that farmers in Himachal Pradesh’s mid-hill zone to produce turmeric using silver-black mulching film on beds measuring 9×1 m2 for better growth, yield and improved quality of turmeric.

Assessment of selection criteria using multi-year study for effective breeding program of Zingiber officinale L.

Ginger has been an important cash crop with numerous applications since ancient times. As the demand for ginger is ever-growing and being a seasonal crop, a high-yielding variety of ginger would be economically profitable. In this study, 150 germplasm were collected from different regions of NE India and evaluated for three years in CRBD design with three replications. The present study thus focused on the variability, association, and diversity studies for the first time on 150 ginger germplasm from across North East India. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, correlation, and path analysis were evaluated for the germplasm. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed considerable differences among the studied germplasm for studied characters, revealing sufficient variability in the materials. The Mahalanobis D2 and Tocher methods grouped the 150 ginger germplasm into ten clusters. Based on the results of the path coefficient analysis determined for essential oil yield and rhizome yield per plant, it can be concluded that the characters' initial rhizome weight, the weight of mother rhizome, and weight of secondary rhizome were the most important and appeared promising in improving the overall yield potential of ginger rhizome and essential oil yield. Thus, selection based on the identified traits would lead to an effective ginger breeding program for higher rhizome and essential oil yield.

Polyploidization-enhanced effective clonal reproduction endows the successful invasion of Solidago canadensis.

Clonality and ploidy levels are positively associated with plant invasiveness. However, there is still no consensus on whether polyploidization can promote the invasion of alien plants by enhancing clonality. Our recent long-term community succession study found that the more vigorous clone of introduced polyploid Solidago canadensis succeeded into mono-dominant community, which seems to be a positive correlationship between polyploidization and clonal reproduction. However, the formation process of clonal ramet and how polyploidization improves the clonal reproduction of S. canadensis remains unknown. Here, we compared clonal growth ability among diploids and polyploids of S. canadensis from native and introduced ranges in a common garden. Results showed that the rhizomes of S. canadensis originated from axillary buds of dense nodes at the basal stem of seedling and then produced into clonal ramets from the rhizomes. Diploids had denser nodes and more buds, developed more rhizomes per unit mass and produced more clonal propagules at the early growth stage compared with polyploids. However, the number of juvenile and secondary rhizomes, as well as the diameter and length of rhizomes in polyploid populations was significantly higher or greater than those of diploids, and those clonal traits in introduced polyploids were significantly higher than in native polyploids. Moreover, a phalanx growth form was observed in native and introduced diploid populations, which allocated about 3% and 5% of the total biomass to rhizomes, respectively, resulting in short and weak rhizomes. However, native and introduced polyploids allocated about 35% and 40%, respectively, of the total biomass to rhizomes, resulting in long and strong rhizomes, which were guerrilla growth forms. This study firstly shows that polyploidization enhanced the effective clonal reproduction of S. canadensis through pre-adaptation and rapid post-adaptation evolution, and consequently contributed to its successful invasion.

Unlocking the genetic diversity of Indian turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) germplasm based on rhizome yield traits and curcuminoids.

Turmeric is an important commercial crop widely grown in Asia due to its pharmacological and nutritional value. India is the centre of turmeric diversity and many turmeric accessions have good rhizome yield, varying curcuminoids content and are well-adapted to various agro-climatic zones. In the present study, we unravel the diversity among 200 Indian turmeric accessions based on rhizome yield traits and curcuminoids content. Clustering and correlation studies were also performed to group the turmeric accessions and to observe the relationship between the traits. Results revealed the presence of large variability among turmeric accessions including the major traits such as yield (24.77g p-1 to 667.63g p-1), dry recovery percentage (13.42% to 29.18%), curcumin (0.41% to 2.17%), demethoxycurcumin (0.38% to 1.45%), bisdemethoxycurcumin (0.37% to 1.24%) and total curcuminoid content (1.26% to 4.55%). The superior germplasm identified for curcuminoids content were as follows; curcumin (CL 157 - 2.17% and CL 272 - 2.13%), demethoxycurcumin (CL 253 - 1.45% and CL 157 - 1.31%), bisdemethoxycurcumin (CL 216 - 1.24% and CL 57 - 1.11%) and total curcuminoid content (CL 157 - 4.55% and CL 272 - 4.37%). Clustering based on dendrogram, grouped 200 accessions into seven clusters. Among seven clusters, the maximum number of accessions were grouped into cluster II while cluster VII showed maximum mean value for majority of the traits. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the traits where the total curcuminoid content is significantly and positively correlated with the primary rhizome core diameter and length of the secondary rhizome. The selection of these particular traits may result in the identification of germplasm with high total curcuminoid content. Taken together, it is the first report on the large screening of turmeric accessions for variation in the rhizome yield traits and curcuminoids content. The genetic diversity revealed in this study could be useful for further crop improvement programs in turmeric to develop new varieties with high rhizome yield coupled with high curcuminoids content.

Genetic Variability in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

The present investigations were carried out at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during kharif season (April–November), 2011. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability of 40 diverse genotypes of ginger collected from different parts of the country including one recommended variety Himgiri as check. These genotypes had shown considerable variability for all the parameters studied. The observations were recorded on emergence, number of tillers and leaves plant-1, leaf length and breadth, plant girth and height, length, girth, core diameter and weight of mother, primary and secondary rhizomes, number of primary and secondary rhizomes plant-1, yield plant-1 plot-1ha-1, incidence of rhizome rot, dry matter and oleoresin content. The genotypic coefficients of variability (GCV) were moderate for number of secondary rhizomes plant-1, weight of primary and secondary rhizomes and yield plant-1 plot-1 ha-1, whereas, the phenotypic coefficients of variability (PCV) were moderate for emergence, number of tillers and leaves plant-1, number of secondary rhizomes plant-1, weight of mother, primary and secondary rhizomes, yield plant-1 plot-1 ha-1, oleoresin content and incidence of rhizome rot. High heritability coupled with high and moderate genetic gain was observed for yield plot-1 ha-1 and weight of mother, primary and secondary rhizomes indicating the importance of these characters for selection. It indicated that these traits were amenable to selection. The overall assessment showed that there was wide variability among ginger genotypes which has important implication for breeding ginger for yield and quality attributes.

Estimates of genetic variability, inter character association and path analysis in turmeric over environments

Pooled data of 27 traits, including quantitative and qualitative, from 15 turmeric varieties grown in three locations over two years were used to estimate the genetic parameters of variability and path analysis. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) combined with high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed for collar girth, length of mother rhizome, number of mother rhizomes, weight of mother rhizome, weight of primary rhizome, number of secondary rhizomes, primary rhizome inter-nodal length, bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), curcumin (CUR) and yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean (GAM) was recorded for plant height, number of shoots, leaf petiole length, leaf length, collar girth, length of mother rhizome, girth of mother rhizome, primary rhizome inter-nodal length, dry recovery, oleoresin, BDMC, DMC and curcumin. Correlation coefficients showed that yield was significantly associated with collar girth, weight of mother rhizome, number of primary rhizomes, weight of primary rhizome and number of secondary rhizomes. Path coefficient analysis at phenotypic level revealed that, positive direct effect was high for length of mother rhizome followed by number of mother rhizomes, weight of primary rhizome and curcumin content. The study confirmed that characters such as weight of mother rhizome, girth of mother rhizome, weight of primary rhizomes, number of primary rhizomes and curcumin content can be relayed upon to form selection criteria in turmeric.

Studies on growth analysis and framing selection criteria for high yield and quality traits in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Fifty-five turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes comprising short, medium and long duration types were evaluated in augmented block design with two checks for growth, yield, and its component characters and quality to ascertain the presence of variability in the population and character association of growth, yield and quality parameters. The study revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits except total chlorophyll content. The fresh rhizome yield was maximum in the genotype CL 195 (long-duration type) and followed by CL 74 (medium duration type). For curcumin content, short-duration types and medium duration types showed better values, than long-duration types. Among the short duration type, the curcumin content was maximum in the genotype CL 78 (2.79 %) whereas, among the medium duration type, CL 22 recorded a curcumin content of 2.55 per cent. The factors, fresh rhizome yield and quality were  optimum in the genotype CL 49 (short duration type), CL 22 (medium duration type), and CL 74 (long-duration type) owing to good values for overall growth parameters. The polygenic trait, yield showed a highly significant positive correlation with the characters viz., the weight of primary rhizomes per plant, the weight of mother rhizomes per plant and leaf area. All the biometric and qualitative traits observed had a positive association with fresh rhizome yield except essential oil and curing per cent ensuring simultaneous improvement of these characteristics. The path coefficient study suggested that the characters viz., the weight of primary rhizomes per plant, the weight of mother rhizomes per plant, the weight of secondary rhizomes per plant, leaf area, plant height, pseudostem girth and curcumin content had a significant positive direct effect on rhizome yield levering more weightage for these characters in the further breeding program. The other quality traits had a relatively poor influence on yield. As short and medium duration genotypes of turmeric are advantageous over long duration types, the best performing short and medium duration types can be used for further crop improvement programme in turmeric.   Keywords: Turmeric, Duration, Yield, Curcumin, Correlation and Path Co-efficient Analysis

Performance Evaluation of Ginger Genotypes on their Yield and Nutrient Uptake under the Coastal Karnataka, India

A field experiment was conducted during kharif (June, 2014–January, 2015) at College of Horticulture, Sirsi, Karnataka, India to study the yield, yield attributing traits, nutrient content and nutrient uptake pattern in ginger genotypes. In the present study 16 ginger genotypes including nationally released varieties viz. IISR-Mahima, IISR-Varada, IISR-Rajatha, Suravi, Suprabha, Himagiri, Rio-de-Janeiro, Suruchi, Himachal, Karkal Local, Humanabad Local, Jorhat-1, Jorhat-2, Bidar-1, Bidar-2 and Shikaripura Local were selected with an aim to assess the yield performance of selected genotypes and varieties in order to determine nutrient content and absorption pattern. Research results indicate that among 16 ginger genotypes including national released varieties the genotype Humnabad Local has recorded maximum number of primary rhizomes (6.30) and secondary rhizomes (24.50), higher fresh rhizome yield (360.20 g plant-1) and yield ha-1 (21.55 t ha-1), dry recovery (27.35%). The genotype Bidar-1 recorded highest nitrogen content in rhizome (1.49%), whereas the variety IISR-Mahima recoded highest nitrogen content in root (1.16%) and in shoot (1.60%). Genotype Shikaripura local recorded maximum phosphorus content in rhizome (0.41%), root (0.39%) and in shoot (0.59%). Genotype Humnabad Local recorded highest potassium content in root (2.57%), whereas the variety IISR-Mahima recorded highest potassium content in rhizome (2.58%) and shoot (2.56%). The nutrient uptake pattern of ginger genotypes indicates that the ginger crop is potassium and nitrogen exhaustive. The results of this study provide a guideline for fertilizer application to ginger crop with respect to varieties, quantity and proportion of nutrient elements according to the demand of variety.

Genetic Variability in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

The investigation was carried out in the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan, HP, India during kharif May, 2011-January, 2012. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability of 40 diverse genotypes of turmeric collected from different parts of the country including 2 recommended varieties as checks viz. Palam Lalima and PalamPitambar.This research work can be valued of immence importance over the time, as it may be of use for global breeders through exchange of germplasm in future.The observations were recorded on various growth, yield and quality parameters. High GCV and PCV were found for weight of mother and primary rhizomes, incidence of rhizome rot and curcumin content, indicating wide range of variations and offered better scope for improvement through clonal selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic gain were estimated for weight of mother and primary rhizomes and girth of primary rhizome, indicating that these characters were under additive gene effects and more reliable for effective clonal selection. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic gain for length and core diameter of mother, primary and secondary rhizomes, girth and weight of secondary rhizome and yield plant-1, plot-1 and ha-1 were also observed, which indicated that clonal selection for these characters can also be effective. The overall assessment showed that there was wide variability among turmeric genotypes which has important implication for clonal selection of turmeric genotypes for yield and quality attributes.

Evaluation of different turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) varieties in Southern Laterites of Kerala

Genetic variability was studied for rhizome yield and its contributing characters among twenty seven turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes. The analysis of variation revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all traits viz., plant height, number of tillers, number of primary rhizomes per plant, number of secondary rhizomes per plant, yield per plant, length of mother rhizome, girth of mother rhizome, weight of mother rhizome, length of primary rhizome, girth of primary rhizome, weight of primary rhizome, length of secondary rhizome, girth of secondary rhizome and weight of secondary rhizome. Turmeric variety Shobha recorded the highest fresh rhizome yield which was on par with the yield given by the variety Punjab Haldi II and local type Sadanandapuram local. PCV was higher than GCV for all the characters indicating the influence of environment in the expression of traits, while the difference varied among the traits. High PCV and correspondingly high GCV was recorded for the all the characters studied except girth of mother rhizome and secondary rhizome. High heritability coupled with high GA was observed for all characters except number of primary and secondary rhizomes per plant indicating the additive nature and scope of improvement of these characters by phenotypic selection. Keywords: Turmeric, Curcuma longa L., Variability, Heritability, Genetic advance

Effect of different rhizome types and sizes on growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Curcuma longa L. is known as spice crop and have important medicinal properties due to presence of bioactive compounds. This study was carried out to determine the effect of mother and finger rhizomes size on growth and yield of turmeric. Rhizomes with three different sizes were used viz., T1: mother rhizome 15-25 g, T2: mother rhizome 25-35 g, T3: mother rhizome 35-45 g, T4: finger rhizome <10 g, T5: finger rhizome 15-25 g and T6: finger rhizome 25-35 g. This experiment was arranged according to randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that treatment T3 (mother rhizome 34-45 g) produced maximum plant height (82.57 cm), stem diameter (17.39 mm), number of tillers (10.31), number of leaves (16.04), leaf area (73.21 cm²), total number of rhizomes (28.01), number of primary rhizome (11.70), number of secondary rhizome (21.45), yield per plant (345.06 g/plant), rhizome length (25.93 mm), rhizome diameter (22.53 mm), and 8.11% curcumin content while the seedling emergence percentage was non-significant for all the treatments.

Nitrogen Nutrition Promotes Rhizome Bud Outgrowth via Regulation of Cytokinin Biosynthesis Genes and an Oryza longistaminata Ortholog of FINE CULM 1.

Oryza longistaminata, a wild rice, can propagate vegetatively via rhizome formation and, thereby, expand its territory through horizontal growth of branched rhizomes. The structural features of rhizomes are similar to those of aerial stems; however, the physiological roles of the two organs are different. Nitrogen nutrition is presumed to be linked to the vegetative propagation activity of rhizomes, but the regulation of rhizome growth in response to nitrogen nutrition and the underlying biological processes have not been well characterized. In this study, we analyzed rhizome axillary bud growth in response to nitrogen nutrition and examined the involvement of cytokinin-mediated regulation in the promotion of bud outgrowth in O. longistaminata. Our results showed that nitrogen nutrition sufficiency promoted rhizome bud outgrowth to form secondary rhizomes. In early stages of the response to nitrogen application, glutamine accumulated rapidly, two cytokinin biosynthesis genes, isopentenyltransferase, and CYP735A, were up-regulated with accompanying cytokinin accumulation, and expression of an ortholog of FINE CULM1, a negative regulator of axillary bud outgrowth, was severely repressed in rhizomes. These results suggest that, despite differences in physiological roles of these organs, the nitrogen-dependent outgrowth of rhizome axillary buds in O. longistaminata is regulated by a mechanism similar to that of shoot axillary buds in O. sativa. Our findings provide a clue for understanding how branched rhizome growth is regulated to enhance nutrient acquisition strategies.

BLYSMUS COMPRESSUS (CYPERACEAE) В ВОЛОГОДСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The article presents data on the distribution, biomorphology, ecological and phytocenotic features of Blysmus compressus in the Vologda Region, as well as issues of the species conservation. The choice of this species as a research object was determined by its rarity in the region and its indicator properties of the presence of pressurized groundwater outlets. Analysis of herbarium collections, archived and published data showed that from 1856 to 2020, B. compressus was recorded in 65 localities within 20 (out of 26) administrative districts and was confined mainly to the valleys of large rivers. Species records fall within the boundaries of 30 squares of the grid system adopted in the Atlas Florae Europaeae. As a result of a detailed biomorphological analysis of the species, its life form was determined as a secondary rhizome non-turfy perennial polycarpic herb with an iterative growth of the shoot axis. This type of biomorph, in its structural basis, is characteristic of the whole Cyperaceae family and the iteration seems to correspond to the ecological conditions of the ecotope. B. compressus prefers lowland (wet and often paludified) meadows, eutrophic (most often, spring) mires, banks of water bodies and watercourses. The habitats of the broad blysmus are always associated with pressurized groundwater outlets and, as a rule, rich in carbonates. B. compressus is a hemi-eurybiontic species. The species realizes its ecological potential with reasonable efficiency (Zhukova's coefficient for most of the traits was not lesser than 0.5), although, judging by the entire complex of traits, in none of the studied ecotopes is was in optimal conditions. B. compressus is listed in the Red Data Book of the Vologda Region by the 3/LC category. It was recorded within the boundaries of only four specially protected natural areas. The necessary protection measures include the organization of new nature reserves at the sites where B. compressus is found, population monitoring, and searching for new places of its occurrence.

Sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcumalonga L.)

A field experiment was carried out in district-Sangli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) variety Salem during 2018 and 2019. Twelve treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that plant height, leaves/plant, width of leaves, leaf area index and clumps/plant tended to increase with age of plant and maximum values were recorded at 150 DAP, irrespective to various treatments. Application of 50% RDF + 50% NC resulted in significantly higher fresh weight of primary rhizome (46.5 g), fresh weight of secondary rhizome (55.5 g) and high marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q ha-1) over control. The total yield of fresh rhizome per plot was comparatively on higher side (418.5g) when compared to control (308.1g) and other treatments. The application of 50% RDF + 50% NC proved superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats (1.06 %), protein (1.25 %), carbohydrates (9.25 %) and curcumin (5.13 %) content to other treatments. Soil productivity was recorded maximum due to combined application of 50 % RDF + 50 % NC than the application of all these fertilizers alone. Fertility status of post-harvest soil improved with most of the treatments over control and higher values were recorded with 50% RDF + 50% NC treatment.

Character association studies in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

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).

Effect of chemical fertilizers and organic sources on growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and soil fertility

Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to evaluate the effect of different chemical fertilizers and organic manures on growth, yield and quality of turmeric in district Sangli (Maharashtra). The treatments consisted of 12 combinations of chemical fertilizers and organic manures (farmyard manure, vermicompost and neem cake) including unamended control. Results indicated that application of 50% recommended chemical fertilizer dose (RDF) + 50% N through neem cake was significantly better in improving fresh weight of primary and secondary rhizome, total weight of rhizomes per plant and marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q/ha) compared to 100% RDF. The treatment of 50% RDF + 50% N as neem cake was also superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats, protein, carbohydrates and curcumin content. The treatment combinations of 50% RDF + FYM or neem cake or vermicompost improved many of the soil fertility parameters compared to no application of organic manures. The present study reported that combination of organic manures, biofertilizers (Azospirrillium, P solubilizing bacteria) and inorganic fertilizer showed significant improvement in the growth, yield and quality of turmeric along with the improvement in soil fertility.

AKTIVITAS METABOLIT SEKUNDER PEMACU PERTUMBUHAN DARI BAKTERI ENDOFIT ASAL KUNYIT PUTIH (Curcuma zedoaria ROSC)

<em><span>Endophytic bacteria colonize the plant tissue and contribute to the host plant's growth, development, and adaptation. This study aimed to examine the endophytic bacteria diversity associated with white turmeric (</span></em><span>Curcuma zedoaria</span><em><span>) and determine its activity as a plant growth promoter. White turmeric plants were obtained from the Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crop Research Institute (Balittro). The isolation of endophytic bacteria from leaves, a primary and secondary rhizome of white turmeric using Nutrient Agar (NA) medium. Identification of the isolates was conducted based on 16S rDNA. The isolates were tested for their ability as a plant growth promoter and enzyme producer. Based on the morphological characteristic, 21 isolates were obtained from the primary rhizome (47.62%), secondary rhizome (19.05%), and leaves (33.33%), respectively. The sequencing result of 16S rDNA showed that the endophytic bacteria community consisted of four phyla, </span></em><span>β-proteobacteria</span><span>, γ-proteobacteria, Flavobacteria,<em> </em>Firmicutes,<em> which represented eight genera. Five isolates had several activities as a plant growth promoter, while six isolates had several enzymatic activities. Thirteen isolates had both activities, as a plant growth promoter and enzyme producer, while eight isolates only had single action. Endophytic bacteria potential as plant growth promoters can be used for supporting the cultivation of white turmeric plants.</em></span>

Performance and evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes based on quantitative traits for tropical regions of Tamil Nadu

Genetic resource of any crop makes it possible for plant breeders to create narrative plant gene combinations and decide on crop varieties. In the present study, 200 turmeric genotypes with two checks were evaluated in Augmented Randomized Complete Block Design for nineteen quantitative traits. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of variability and diversity between quantitative traits, among 200 different turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) genotypes. Mean values of nineteen quantitative traits for the test entries showed superiority as compared to check varieties viz., BSR 2 and CO 2 excluding the length of secondary rhizome. The results of analysis of variance exhibited significance for all the quantitative traits, suggesting the existence of sufficient genetic variability among the genotypes studied. Significant values for coefficient of variation was observed for the weight of primary rhizomes plant-1 (55.17%) followed by weight of mother rhizomes plant-1, weight of secondary rhizomes plant-1 and rhizome yield plant-1 with CV of 53.72, 52.59 and 48.26 % respectively. The genotype CL 18 recorded the maximum significant value for plant height(160.99 cm), leaf width (22.35 cm), weight of mother rhizomes plant-1 (289.94 g), weight of primary rhizomes plant-1 (452.22 g), the number of secondary rhizomes plant-1 (34.30) and rhizome yield plant-1 (970.09 g) as compared to other genotypes. The magnititude of estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the nineteen quantitative characters. Genotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 3.15 % to 12.33 % and phenotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 4.29 % to 19.36 %. Heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean (GAM) were higher in all the nineteen quantitative traits studied in turmeric genotypes.