Influence of Different Seed Rhizome Storage Methods on Viability, Growth and Yield of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.)

In spite of the importance of turmeric ‘Ird’ as a ground spice and in curry powder in Ethiopia and the efforts made so far to generate improved technologies, its production and quality is remained low compared with the world average. One of the contributing factors is lack of appropriate seed rhizome storage methods, which insisted the current investigation. The study was conducted at Metu agricultural research sub center to determine suitable rhizome storage methods on viability, yield and growth parameter in 2017. The experiment was laid out in RCB-design with 3 replications. This experiment was consisted of twelve treatments which were arranged using 3 planting materials (turmeric mother rhizome, finger Rhizome and mixed rhizome) stored under 4 storage conditions(shade +mulch, nursery +mulch, constructed seed store house, and pit). Analysis of variance revealed significant variation among the treatments for disease incidence (p<0.05), rhizome length and rhizome yield (p<0.01), while non significant for other studied parameters. Mother Seed Rhizome turmeric stored under shade tree+mulch gave the maximum sprouting (88.4%).The least rotten percentage was found from rhizomes stored under nursery (3.71%). Moreover, Mother rhizome stored under shade tree recorded maximum yield and all other parameters viz. highest rhizome viability (94.53%), tiller per plant (2.8), leaf length(25.5cm), leaf width(14.6cm), plant height(28.1cm), rhizome length(5.9cm), rhizome width( 2.0cm), number of fingers per stood(5.2cm) and yield (38.2 ton/hectare). generally shade tree +mulch has produced maximum rhizome sprouting and viability, maximum yield and yield related parameters, therefore this storage method is found the best appropriate rhizome storage method to be used by the users. Keywords: turmeric, rhizome, storage methods, sprouting, viability DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-7-01 Publication date:July 31st 202