Selection parameters for curcumin, rhizome yield and its components in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under foot hills of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Fifty five diverse genotypes of turmeric collected from various parts of country were evaluated during 2010-11. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability (bs), genetic advance as percentage of mean were observed for weight of secondary rhizome per plant, average weight of secondary rhizome, curcumin content, rhizome yield per plant, average weight of primary rhizome, weight of primary rhizome per plant, number of mother rhizomes per plant, average weight of mother rhizome, number of secondary rhizomes per plant, weight of mother rhizome per plant and number of tillers per plant. Correlation studies revealed that rhizome yield per plant showed positive and significant correlation with weight of secondary rhizome per plant, weight of primary rhizome per plant, crop duration, average weight of secondary rhizome, number of tillers per plant, average weight of primary rhizome, leaf area, number of leaves per plant, weight of mother rhizome per plant, number of secondary rhizomes per plant, average weight of mother rhizome and number of mother rhizomes per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Maximum positive direct effect on rhizome yield per plant was exerted by weight of secondary rhizome per plant followed by weight of primary and mother rhizomes per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level indicating that selection based on these traits will be highly desirable. The genotypes viz., CHFT-8, CHFT-61, CHFT-22 and CHFT-30 were found good for rhizome yield and Megha Turmeric-1, CHFT- 14, CHFT- 17and CHFT-24 for curcumin content. The identified accessions could be considered for further improvement of yield.