EFFECT OF PLANTING METHODS AND PLANT POPULATION ON PRODUCTIVITY OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa L.) AND SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is largely used in diversified forms as a condiment, flavouring and colouring agent and as a principal ingredient in Indian culinary as curry powder. For the higher productivity, identification of location specific production technologies is of prime importance. A study was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab for three consecutive years during kharif seasons of 2013-2015 to appraise the effect of planting methods and plant population on growth and yield of turmeric, and physical properties of the soil. The experiment was arranged in split plot design with four planting methods viz., flatbed, ridge spaced at 45 cm, ridge spaced at 60 cm and bed of 67.5 cm (2 rows per bed) in main plots and three plant populations viz., 1,33,334; 1,66,667 and 2,00,000 plants ha^-1 in sub plots with four replications. The results revealed that bed (67.5 cm) planting method registered significantly better growth and yield attributes like plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, number of rhizomes per plant and consequently fresh and dry rhizome yields than other planting methods except than flatbed during first year. Plant height and leaf area index were significantly improved while dry matter accumulation and number of rhizomes per plant were significantly less with higher plant population than lower plant population. Fresh and dry rhizome yield were significantly higher with plant population of 2,00,000 and 1,66,667 plants ha^-1 than plant population of 1,33,334 plants ha^-1 due to more plants per unit area under higher plant population. Soil bulk density was significantly lowered under ridge and bed planting methods than flatbed planting method at shallow (0-15 and 15-30 cm) soil layers, however, no significant effect was observed at deeper soil layers of 30-45 and 45-60 cm. Water infiltration rate was recorded in the lessening order of ridge spaced at 60 and 45 cm, bed 67.5 cm and flatbed planting methods, respectively.