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© 2021 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Agriculture and Food Sciences Research 
Vol. 8, No. 2, 30-35, 2021 

ISSN(E) 2411-6653/ ISSN(P) 2518-0193 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.512.2021.82.30.35 

© 2021 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

  
 

 
 
 
Growth and Yield Components of Some Turmeric Varieties (Curcuma Longa L.) As 
Affected by Inorganic Fertilizer Levels in Umudike, South-Eastern, Nigeria 

 
Akpan, A. U.1 
Orji, K. O.2  

Uhala, S. C.3  

 
 

( Corresponding Author) 
1,2,3Department of Agronomy, College of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, 
Umudike, South Eastern, Nigeria. 
1Email: annahudo@yahoo.com  
2Email: regentko@yahoo.com Tel: +2347065223591 
3Email: uhalamrs@yahoo.com Tel: +2348139700708 

 
Abstract 

A research on growth and yield components of some turmeric varieties (Curcuma longa L.) as 
affected by inorganic fertilizer levels in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria  was carried out at the 
teaching and research farm of the University, during 2018/2019 cropping seasons. It was laid out 
in a split plot design with three replications. Results, showed that plant height and number of 
tillers for both varieties and fertilizers levels increased at 2, 4, and 6 months after planting (MAP) 
during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) Kg-1 produced 
tallest plants and highest number of tillers over other varieties and fertilizer levels. Crop growth 
rate was positive at 2 – 4 MAP and negative at 4 – 6 MAP, with 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) 
kgha-1 producing higher growth rate. Heaviest rhizomes fresh weight (kg plot-1) of 3.74 and 3.75, 
rhizome dry matter content of 14.49 and 16.8%, rhizome dry weight of 23.57 and 23.90g and 
harvest index of 2.60 and 2.70% was yielded by UMT 021 variety over other varieties. The level 
of 400 NPK (15:15:15) kg ha-1 produced heaviest rhizome fresh weight of 4.47 and 4.57 kg plot-1; 
rhizome dry matter content of 19.42 and 25.8%; rhizome dry weight of 27.54 and 27.8g and 
harvest index of 2.81 and 3.20%, over other levels. Consequently, variety 021 and 400 NPK 
(15:15:15) kgha-1 are recommended for sole production of turmeric in Umudike, South Eastern 
Nigeria. 

 
Keywords: Growth, Yield, Turmeric, Varieties, Inorganic fertilizers, Levels. 

 
Citation | Akpan, A. U.; Orji, K. O.; Uhala, S. C. (2021). Growth 
and Yield Components of Some Turmeric Varieties (Curcuma Longa 
L.) As Affected by Inorganic Fertilizer Levels in Umudike, South-
Eastern, Nigeria. Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 8(2): 30-
35. 
History:  
Received: 8 September 2021 
Revised: 12 October 2021 
Accepted: 17 November 2021 
Published: 28 December 2021 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Acknowledgement: All authors contributed to the conception and design of 
the study. 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 
2. Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................................................................... 31 
3. Results and Discussions .................................................................................................................................................................. 32 
4. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 
References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 35 
 

 

 

 

 

mailto:annahudo@yahoo.com
mailto:regentko@yahoo.com
mailto:uhalamrs@yahoo.com
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
https://www.doi.org/10.20448/journal.512.2021.82.30.35


Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2021, 8(2): 30-35 

31 
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Contribution of this paper to the literature 
The research has shown that turmeric requires lot of nutrients for growth and yield. However, 
excessive application of such nutrient might also be non-profitable to the farmers, due to the 
seemingly drop in both growth and yield attributes. A benchmark on inorganic fertilizer 
application for turmeric production has also been established. 

 
1. Introduction 

Tumeric (Curcumalonga L.) is a very important commercial crop grown for its aromatic rhizomes, which is used 
both as a spice and also in the preparation of different medicines. Tumeric is a native of tropical South Asia and its 
cultivation is mostly confined to South East Asian countries. Nigeria and Bangladesh together contribute about 6% 
of the global turmeric production [1]. Turmeric is a tropical perennial monocotyledonous herb belonging to the 
family Zingiberaceae [2, 3]. Tumeric can be propagated vegetatively, through mother rhizomes (primary 
rhizomes), finger rhizomes or split mother rhizomes. Tumeric thrives best in well drained sandy or clay loamy 
soils, well rich in organic matter. The ideal pH is 4.5 – 7.5, while water logged and alkaline soils must be avoided. 
It also performs well in humid climatic conditions with temperature range of 20°C to 35°C and annual rainfall 
range of 80mm to 2500mm respectively. Perhaps, this was the reason [4] reported that variation in turmeric yield 
could be due to variety used, the type of soil and the prevailing weather situations during the cropping seasons. 

Turmeric rhizomes and the ground powder are used as spice or colouring agent. It helps in treating some 
diseases such as asthma, rheumatism, diabetes, wounds, cancers, urinary tract infections and liver ailments [5]. 
Tumeric also helps in reducing the level of cholesterol in the human body. It helps to regulate the level of blood 
sugar as well as possess some antibacterial and antiseptic properties. The average composition of turmeric include: 
moisture (6.0%); protein (6.5%); ash (6.0%); crude fibre (3.0%), starch (5.0%); oil (3.5%); volatile oil (4.5%) and 
curcumin (3.1%) [6]. It is also used as a natural dye for cloth, leather, silk, fibre, wool and cotton. Adeniji [7] and 
Frances [8], stressed that the demands for turmeric is increasing because of its uses in the food and pharmaceutical 
industries. Several studies have reported that nitrogen has significant effect on growth yield and yield components 
of turmeric [9, 10]. It has also been reported that nitrogen not only increases the yield of turmeric but also 
enhances the quality attributes [9]. Application of nitrogen also enhances the efficacy of other nutrients like P and 
K, that improve the yield of turmeric [11]. N is involved in chlorophyll formation and influences stomatal 
conductance and photosynthetic efficiency and is responsible for 26 – 41% of crop yields Ivonyi, et al. [12]. 
Ojikpong [13], in his research on effect of planting dates and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on the growth and yield of 
turmeric reported that 300 kgha-1 gave best values for all the measured growth and yield components. 

Several studies have acknowledged that turmeric is a heavy feeder crop with high demand for N [10, 14, 15]. 
The high nutrient requirements of turmeric as reported by Singh, et al. [14] is due to shallow rooting and 
potential to produce large amount of dry matter per unit area. Also, the crop has a long growing period, extending 
up to 9 – 10 months, thereby making nutrient requirements period also prolonged. In view of the high nutrient 
demanding status of turmeric, there is a greater need to frequently boost the fertility status of soils, through 
prompt fertilizer application. This research therefore, evaluated the growth and yield components of some turmeric 
varieties (Curcumalonga L.) as affected by inorganic fertilizer levels in Umudike, South Eastern, Nigeria. 
 

2. Materials and Methods 
The research was conducted at the teaching and research farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, 

Umudike, South Eastern, Nigeria during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Umudike is located on latitude 05°29` 
North, longitude 07° 23` East at an altitude of 120.0m above sea level. It has a bimodal rainfall pattern with rainy 
season commencing from March to July and a dry spell in August followed by another rainfall session from 
September to November. Annual rainfall pattern ranges from 2074.3mm to 2420mm mean, maximum and 
minimum temperatures and relative humidity are 31.4°C, 28°C and 63.4°% respectively [16]. 

The research was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The main plot comprised NPK 
(15:15:15) fertilizer levels of 0, 200, 400 and 600 kgha-1, while the subplot comprised the adopted turmeric varieties 
(UMT 016, UMT 019, UMT 021). There varieties were on the field for 8 months while the rhizomes were sourced 
from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike. The research layout was 29.5m x 8m or 
0.0236ha. The main plot measured 7m x 2m, while the subplot measured 2m x 2m. The distance between plots and 
replicates were 0.5m and 1m respectively. Healthy, pests and disease – free mother rhizomes (primary rhizomes) 
with healthy buds were used for planting. Planting was conducted on 15th May for both cropping seasons on beds 
at the spacing of 20cm x 20cm, resulting in the population of 100 stands per plot and 250,000 stands per hectare.  

The plots were mulched after 3 days of planting with dry guinea grass (Panicummaximum) at the rate of 20tha-

1[17]. Fertilizer application was done by placement method at 3 weeks after planting, while weeding was 
conducted three times. Mosquito nets were used to protect the entire research layout against rodents, squirrels and 
associated destructive pests [16]. Harvesting of the rhizomes was manually conducted at 8 months after planting, 
when to plant becomes brownish and the leaves have fallen. Digging forks and hand trowels were used to soften 
the soil, before the clumps were carefully pulled out of the soil. The mother (primary) and finger rhizomes were 
properly washed thereafter. Plant height was conducted by measuring the height of four stands from the base to 
the terminal point at 2, 4 and 6 MAP, while the total was divided by four. The total number of tillers from four 
stands were divided by four to have number of tillers per plant. Crop growth rate was obtained from the formula 
below: 
CGR = W2 – W1 
 SA (t2 – t1) (gm-2 day-1) [18] 
Where: 
W1& W2: Crop dry weight at the beginning and end of the interval. 
t1& t2: Corresponding days. 
SA: Soil area occupied by the plant. 



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Rhizome fresh weight (Kg plot-1) was by weighing total rhizomes harvested from four stands of turmeric per 
plot and subsequently converted through the formular: 

 

 = 
weight of rhizomes per plot 

plot size
 × 1000 

 
Rhizomes dry matter content (%) was by the formular: 
Rhizome dry weight 

Rhizome fresh weight 
 × 

100

1
 

Rhizome dry weight per plant was by weighing the total number of rhizomes from four stands, while the total 
weight was subsequently divided by four. Harvest index was obtained through this formular: 

Harvest Index (HI) =  
Economic yield

Biological yield
 or 

rhizomes fresh weight

shoot dry weight
 

 
Before the commencement of the research, composite soil samples were collected randomly at the depth of 0 – 

20cm from the research site for physico – chemical analyses. Particle size distribution was determined by the 
Bouyocous hydrometer method as described by Benton [19]. Soil pH in soil to water and soil to Cacl2 at the ratio 
of 1:2:5, soil water and soil – CaCl2 respectively, was by using glass electrode pH meter [20]. Organic carbon was 
by wet oxidation method [21]. Available P was determined by Bray 11 method of Bray and Kurtz [22] as 
described by Udo, et al. [20]. Total nitrogen was done by the macro Kjeildhal digestion method [23]. Calcium and 
Mg were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, while potassium and sodium were by flame photometry 
[24]. Both growth and yield data were subsequently subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) method [25], 
while Fisher’s Least Significant difference (F – LSD) was adopted to compare significant means at 5% probability 
level. 
 

3. Results and Discussions 
3.1. Meteorological Properties of the Research Site 

Meteorological properties of the research site Table 1, revealed that the months of January, February and 
March recorded the lowest rainfall situations of 75.4 and 0.0mm; 84.8mm and 43.7mm as well as 40.8mm and 
78.7mm during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Monthly rainfall situations increases from May and dropped in 
November, preparatory for dry period (Table 1). Both maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity 
fluctuated in favour of rainfall patterns with dry months recording high temperatures and low relative humidity 
Table 1. The relevance of weather to the productivity of turmeric was earlier reported by Karthikeyan, et al. [4], 
that variation in turmeric yield could be caused by prevailing weather situations during cropping seasons. 
 

Table-1.Meteorological properties of the research site during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 
Months Rainfall (mm) Tempt °C R/H (%) 

Max. Min. 

2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

Jan 75.4 0.0 32.0 33.4 22.0 21.5 31 49 
Feb 84.8 43.7 33.0 33.9 24.0 23.2 36 38 
Mar 40.8 78.7 33.0 33.2 22.0 23.4 66 54 
Apr 92.8 136.8 32.0 32.2 22.0 23.5 70 62 
May 466.1 249.2 31.0 31.9 23.0 23.4 72 71 
June 239.4 281.8 29.0 30.5 23.0 24.2 72 79 
July 280.5 114.9 30.0 30.0 22.0 24.0 81 78 
Aug 237.1 436.5 34.0 29.6 23.0 23.3 81 78 
Sept 318.0 412.4 30.0 29.8 22.0 22.9 77 73 
Oct 184.8 169.1 30.0 31.0 23.0 23.6 69 74 
Nov 99.5 147.4 32.0 31.6 23.0 23.5 64 65 
Dec 90.8 0.0 32.0 32.7 22.0 21.8 51 48 

TOTAL 2210.0 2068.5       

 
Table-2.Soil physico-chemical properties of the research site, during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 

Soil properties Values 

Sand (%) 72.4 74.2 
Silt (%) 12.8 11.4 
Clay (%) 14.8 11.4 
Textural Class Sandy loam Sandy loam 

Chemical properties   

pH 5.09 5.04 
Phosphorus (mgkg-1) 11.06 12.4 
Nitrogen (%) 0.38 0.27 
Organic carbon (%) 0.3 0.62 
Calcium (Cmolkg-1) 3.6 3.2 
Magnesium (Cmolkg-1) 1.24 2.0 
Potassium (Cmolkg-1) 0.65 0.52 

 

3.2. Soil Physico-Chemical Properties of the Research Site 
The physico-chemical properties of the research site Table 2, showed that the textural class of the site was 

sandy loamy soil with <80% sand fraction for both cropping seasons. Some elements like phosphorus (11.06 and 
12.4 mgkg-1) and organic carbon (0.3% and 0.62%) during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons were low Table 2. The 



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pH of 5.09 and 5.04 for both cropping seasons were moderate and capable of sustaining the production of turmeric. 
Apart from nutrient availability, Hossain and Ishimine [26], attributed the performance of turmeric in the field to 
soil properties including: soil pH, moisture contents, bulk density, aeration and soil microbial activities. 

 
3.3. Effect of NPK (15: 15: 15) Fertilizer Levels on the Growth of Turmeric 

Plant height for variety and fertilizer levels increased at 2, 4 and 6 MAP during 2018 and 2019 cropping 
seasons Table 3. Variety UMT 021 produced tallest plants of 11.8 and 12.3cm (2 MAP), 30.5 and 29.8cm (4 MAP), 
69.6 and 70.2 cm (6 MAP) in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons over other varieties. The 400 NPK (15: 15: 15) kgha-

1 produced tallest plants of 12.4 and 12.6cm (2 MAP), 38.5 and 38.2m (4 MAP); 77.3 and 76.6cm (6 MAP), 
compared with control (0 level) Table 3. Plant height was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by variety at 2 and 4 
(MAP), while 6(MAP) was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected for both years. Plant height was significantly (P 
<0.05) affected by fertilizer levels at 2, 4 and 6 (MAP), while interaction (Variety x fertilizer levels) was not 
significant. Turmeric height will therefore vary with the cultivated variety and the level of inorganic fertilizer 
applied. The observed drop in height at 600 kgha-1, suggested that fertilizer addition beyond 400 kgha-1 will not be 
economical, and might lead to luxury consumption with attendant low yield. Atugwu, et al. [27], reported 
increased turmeric height with age, while Ojikpong [13], reported tallest turmeric at 300 NPK (15: 15: 15) Kgha-1 
as well as drop at 450 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1. This research therefore corroborates the earlier report by Ojikpong 
[13]. 
 

Table-3. Effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer level on plant height of turmeric varieties at 2, 4 and 6 MAP during 
2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 

Tumeric 
varieties 

Plant height (cm) 

2 MAP 4 MAP 6MAP 

2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

UMT 016 10.9 11.0 27.8 27.3 66.9 66.2 
UMT 019 9.9 9.9 26.2 26.2 66.9 64.7 
UMT 021 11.8 12.3 30.5 29.8 69.6 70.2 

Fertilizer levels (Kgha-1) 

0 9.0 9.1 16.7 16.5 52.1 51.0 
200 10.9 11.1 29.0 28.1 68.4 66.6 
400 12.4 12.6 38.5 38.2 77.3 76.6 
600 11.2 11.5 28.3 28.1 73.4 74.8 

                   MAP 
 2 4 6 

 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

Variety 0.78 0.56* 1.78 1.64 ns ns 
Fertilizer 1.00* 0.79* 2.75* 2.94* 10.88* 9.14* 

Variety x fertilizer ns ns ns ns ns ns 
Note: F-LSD (P< 0.05). 

 
Table-4.Effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer levels on number of tillers of turmeric varieties at 2, 4 and 6 MAP 
during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 

Tumeric 
varieties 

Plant height (cm) 

2 MAP 4 MAP 6MAP 

2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

UMT 016 2.0 3.0 5.2 5.1 9.6 9.3 
UMT 019 1.7 2.7 4.8 4.9 9.8 9.2 
UMT 021 2.8 3.1 5.8 5.8 9.9 9.9 

Fertilizer levels (kgha-1) 

0 1.6 2.1 3.8 3.7 7.0 7.4 
200 2.1 3.0 4.9 4.8 9.8 9.8 
400 2.9 3.9 7.0 7.2 11.7 11.2 
600 2.1 2.7 5.3 5.4 10.6 9.6 

                MAP 
 2 4 6 

 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

Variety 0.52 ns ns 0.68 ns ns 
Fertilizer 0.50* 0.74 0.80* 1.03* 1.52* 1.88 

Variety x fertilizer ns ns ns Ns ns ns 
Note: F-LSD (P< 0.05). 

 
Number of tillers per plant Table 4, for both variety and fertilizer levels increased at 2, 4 and 6 MAP during 

2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Variety UMT 021 produced the highest number of tillers of 2.8 and 3.1 (2 MAP); 
5.8 and 5.8 (4 MAP); 9.9 and 9.9 (6 MAP), over other varieties, while 400 NPK (15:15:15) Kgha-1 recorded highest 
number of tillers of 2.9 and 3.9 (2 MAP); 7.0 and 7.2 (4 MAP) as well as 11.7 and 11.2 (6 MAP) compared with 
other levels for both cropping seasons. Number of tillers per plant was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the 
variety at 2 MAP in 2018 cropping season, as well as 4 MAP in 2019 cropping season, while 6 MAP was not 
significantly (P > 0.05) affected by fertilizer levels at 2, 4 and 6 MAP. Interaction (Variety x fertilizer levels) did 
not significantly (P > 0.05) affect number of tillers for both cropping seasons. The observed reduction in number of 
tillers at 600 NPK (15; 15:15) Kgha-1, suggested that it was not economical to the farmer. Number of tillers the 
research showed will equally vary with the variety planted and the level of fertilizer applied. The increased number 
of tillers with age, corroborates an earlier report by Atugwu, et al. [27], who reported increase in number of tillers 
per plant as turmeric grew older. 



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Crop growth rate Table 5, for variety and fertilizer levels increased positively at 2 to 4 MAP and as well 
dropped negatively at 4 – 6 MAP for both cropping seasons. Variety UMT 021 recorded highest growth rate of 
0.518 and 0.503 gm-2day-1 at 2 – 4 MAP as well as -0.123 and -0.0932 gm-2day-1 at 4 – 6 MAP. The 400 NPK 
(15:15:15) kgha-1 level equally produced highest growth rate of 0.655 and 0.661 gm-2day-1 at 2 – 4 MAP and also -
0.105 and -0.1043 gm-2day-1 at 4 – 6 MAP. Crop growth rate was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by variety at 
2 – 4 and 4 – 6 MAP. Fertilizer levels significantly (P < 0.05) affected crop growth rate at 2 – 4 MAP, but was 
however not significant (P > 0.05) at 4 – 6 MAP for both cropping seasons. Interaction (Variety x fertilizer levels) 
did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect crop growth rate. This result has shown that growth processes in turmeric 
are active from 1 to 4 MAP and that the formation and bulking of tender rhizomes may likely commence before 4 
MAP. This may cause the vegetative and early reproductive phases of turmeric to occur simultaneously. The early 
commencement of the reproductive phase of turmeric as well as the effect of senescence during the steady growth 
phase may explain the negative growth rate and the crop grows older. Crop growth rate is likely to be influenced 
by the age of turmeric and fertility status of the soil. 
 

Table-5.Effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer levels in crop growth rates of turmeric varieties at 2 – 4 
and 4 – 6 MAP during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 

 Crop growth rate (gm-2day-1) 

Turmeric 
variety 

2 – 4 MAP 4 – 6 MAP 

2018 2019 2018 2019 

UMT 016 0.444 0.457 -0.089 -0.0751 
UMT 019 0.426 0.416 -0.069 -0.0921 

UMT 021 0.518 0.503 -0.123 -0.0932 

Fertilizer rates (kgha-1) 
0 0.463 0.429 -0.103 -0.0872 

200 0.446 0.454 -0.098 -0.0872 
400 0.655 0.661 -0.105 0.1043 
600 0.286 0.291 -0.068 -0.0706 

                           MAP 
 2 – 4 4 – 6 

 2018 2019 2018 2019 

Variety Ns ns ns ns 
Fertilizer 0.146 0.1428 ns ns 

Variety x Fertilizer ns ns ns ns 
Note: F-LSD (P< 0.05). 

 
Table-6.Effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer levels on rhizome fresh weight (kg plot-1), rhizome dry matter content, rhizome 
dry weight and harvest index of turmeric varieties during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. 

 
Turmeric 

variety 

Rhizome fresh 
weight (kgplot-1) 

Rhizome dry matter 
content (%) 

Rhizome dry weight 
(g) 

Harvest Index (%) 

2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

UMT 016 3.19 2.85 13.00 15.4 17.25 17.4 2.56 2.2 
UMT 019 2.50 2.28 13.61 13.6 13.57 13.5 2.07 1.9 
UMT 021 3.74 3.75 14.49 16.8 23.57 23.90 2.60 2.70 

Fertilizer rates (kgha-1) 
0 1.60 0.67 11.94 12.1 6.97 6.70 1.99 1.0 

200 3.05 3.27 12.10 11.5 18.81 19.0 2.47 2.5 
400 4.47 4.57 19.42 25.8 27.54 27.8 2.81 3.2 
600 3.35 3.34 11.73 11.7 19.78 19.6 2.38 2.4 

 

 Rhizome fresh 
weight (kgplot-1) 

Rhizome dry 
matter content 

(%) 

Rhizome dry 
weight (g) 

Harvest Index 
(%) 

2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 

Variety ns 0.672 ns ns 5.837 5.62 ns 0.52 
Fertilizer 1.395 0.911 ns 4.08 6.177* 6.32* ns 0.70* 

Variety x Fertilizer ns ns ns 7.17 ns ns ns ns 
Note:  F-LSD (P< 0.05). 

 
The evaluated yield parameters Table 6, showed that the heaviest rhizome fresh weight per plot (Kgha-1) of 

3.74 and 3.75 Kgha-1; highest rhizome dry matter content of 14.49 and 16.8%; heaviest rhizome dry weight per 
plant of 23.57 and 23.90g and harvest index of 2.60 and 2.70 were yielded by UMT 021 variety compared with 
other varieties during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The fertilizer level of 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 equally 
yielded heaviest rhizome fresh weight of 4.47 and 4.57 kg plot-1; rhizome dry matter content of 19.42 and 25.8%; 
rhizome dry weight per plant of 27.54 and 27.8g as well as harvest index of 2.81 and 3.20 for both cropping 
seasons. A drop in yield components was observed at 600kgha-1 level, suggesting that fertilizer addition beyond 
400 kgha-1 will be uneconomical and may as well engender luxury consumption. 

Rhizome fresh weight (Kg plot-1) was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by variety in 2019 cropping season, while 
fertilizer levels significantly (P < 0.05) affected rhizome fresh weight (Kg plot-1) in both cropping seasons. Rhizome 
dry matter content was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by variety in both cropping seasons, while fertilizer 
levels significantly (P < 0.05) affected dry matter content only in 2019 cropping seasons. Rhizome dry weight was 
significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the variety and fertilizer levels in both cropping seasons. Harvest index on the 
other hand was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by both the variety and fertilizer levels only in 2019 cropping 
seasons. Interaction (Variety x fertilizer levels) significantly (P < 0.05) affected rhizome dry matter content in 2019 
cropping season, while other yield parameters were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected. These results on yield 



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components slightly support [13] who reported increases in yield components of turmeric at 300 NPK (15: 15: 15) 
kgha-1 as well as a drop in yield parameters at 450 NPK (15: 15: 15) kgha-1 respectively. 
 

4. Conclusion 
The research has revealed that variety UMT 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 performed better that other 

varieties and fertilizer levels respectively. This further suggests that UMT 021 variety was more adaptive to the 
research site while 400kgha-1 provided ample nutrients for the optimum growth and yield performances of 
turmeric. Consequently, for a successful production of turmeric as a sole crop in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria, 
UMT 021 variety and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1are recommended. Application of fertilizer up to 600 NPK 
(15:15:15) kgha-1 was unproductive due to the observed drop in both growth and yield parameters. This could lead 
to luxury consumption, often characterized by luxuriant growth with attendant low yield. The growth and yield 
performances of turmeric, the research revealed will likely vary with cultivated variety and the level of inorganic 
fertilizer applied. 
 

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using morpho-agronomical descriptors," Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology, vol. 11, pp. 70-76, 2011.Available at: 
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-70332011000100010. 

[3] M. S. Jilani, W. Kashif, K. Mehwish, and A. Jamil, "Performance of different turmeric cultivars in Dera Ismail Khan," Pakistan 
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