Background:
The productivity of the local turmeric cultivars is low and often crop failures are experienced either due to shortage of irrigation water or disease occurrence. Also, most of the local cultivars and released varieties are long duration in nature (210-240 days). Stability of curcumin and yield in turmeric is also the main concerns in spices industries, as genotypes perform differently across environments. Considerable crop loss was reported in turmeric due to toot knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh:
Technology details:
IISR Pragati is a high yielding short duration turmeric variety and takes only 180-200 days to harvest. This variety is suitable for turmeric growing areas with serious irrigation problems. Average yield of 38 t/ha (fresh rhizomes) is recorded. The yield can go up to 52 t/ha under favorable conditions. It has 30 % and 34% yield increase over national and local turmeric varieties. The variety is noted for its stable and high curcumin content (5.02%) across locations. IISR Pragati is moderately resistant to root knot nematode infestation. The variety is suitable for cultivation in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh states.