To study the Effect of factor productivity of natural farming practices in turmeric crop (Curcuma longa L.) under Middle Gujarat conditions

Introduction

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the most important spice and medicinal crops belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It is widely cultivated in India for its underground rhizomes, which are used as spice, colouring agent and preparing in medicinal products. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Turmeric possesses immense medicinal importance due to the presence of curcumin, which exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Natural farming is gaining importance as a sustainable agricultural approach, because it promotes chemical-free cultivation and improves soil health. Natural farming practices mainly includes Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, mulching and mixed cropping. These practices enhance microbial activity, nutrient availability and ecological balance in the soil ecosystem. Beejamrit acts as a seed treatment material which protects the seed and soil-borne pathogens while promoting healthy germination. Jeevamrit supplies beneficial microorganisms and essential nutrients to crops and stimulates microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Ghanjeevamrit improves soil physio-biochemical properties under natural farming systems. Mulching is another important component to conserves soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, improve microbial as well as earthworm activities and suppresses weed infestation. It also improves organic matter status in the soil. Similarly, mixed cropping enhances biodiversity, resource utilization efficiency and overall system productivity. Raised bed planting provides better drainage and aeration, especially in turmeric cultivation where water stagnation adversely affects rhizome development. Raised beds improve root growth, nutrients uptake and reduce incidence of disease particularly rhizome rot in turmeric crop. Although natural farming practices are widely promoted, scientific information regarding their integrated effect on turmeric cultivation under Middle Gujarat conditions is

Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different natural farming components on growth, yield, quality, soil properties and economics.

Materials and Methods

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif-Rabi 2025-26 The soil of the experimental field was clay loam in texture with pH 7.8 and EC 0.225 dS/m. The soil contained 0.6% organic carbon, 175 kg/ha available nitrogen, 31 kg/ha available phosphorus and 346 kg/ha available potassium. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with seven treatments replicated four times. The treatments consisted of T 1: All natural farming components (Beejamrit + Jeevamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + Mulching + Mixed cropping + Raised bed), T 2: All natural farming components except Jeevamrit, T 3: All natural farming components except Mulching, T 4: All natural farming components except Ghanjeevamrit, T 5: All natural farming components except Mixed cropping, T 6: All natural farming components except Beejamrit and T 7: All natural farming components except Raised bed planting. Turmeric variety GNT 3 (Pitambari) was used as the test crop due to its high yield potential and suitability under Gujarat conditions.

Results and Discussion

Effect on yield and yield attribute Weight of mother rhizome

The weight of mother rhizome was significantly influenced by different natural farming treatments (Table 1). Treatment T₁ recorded the highest mother rhizome weight (139.8 g/plant), followed by T₆ (102.8 g/plant) and T₃ (98.3 g/plant), which were statistically at par. The lowest weight (82.3 g/plant) was observed under T₇. The superior performance of T₁ may be attributed to the combined effect of all natural farming components, which enhanced nutrient availability, soil microbial activity, and moisture conservation, resulting in better rhizome development.

Weight of finger rhizome

The data presented in Table 1 further indicated that finger rhizome weight differed significantly among various treatments. Treatment T₁ recorded the maximum finger rhizome weight (692 g/plant), which was significantly higher over all other treatments. The minimum finger rhizome weight was observed under T₇ (363 g/plant). Treatments T₆ (597 g/plant) and T₃ (517 g/plant) were statistically at par and recorded comparatively higher finger rhizome weight among the remaining treatments. The higher finger rhizome weight under T₁ may be attributed to continuous nutrient supply through Jeevamrit and Ghanjeevamrit along with improved soil conditions created by mulching and raised bed cultivation.

Fresh Weight of rhizome

Fresh rhizome weight per plant varied significantly among the natural farming treatments (Table 1). The maximum fresh rhizome weight was recorded in T₁ (831.5 g/plant), followed by T₆ (700.0 g/plant) and T₃ (608.5 g/plant), which were statistically at par. The minimum fresh rhizome weight was observed in T₇ (445.3 g/plant), remaining at par with T₅ (452.3 g/plant). The enhanced rhizome weight under T₁ could be attributed to the synergistic effect of all natural farming components, resulting in improved soil fertility and crop growth. Similar findings were reported by Kadam and Kamble (2020) [3] .

Dry recovery

Dry recovery of turmeric was significantly influenced by the omission of different natural farming components (Table 1). Treatment T₁ (all natural farming components) recorded the highest dry recovery (16.2%), followed by T₆ (14.1%), which was statistically at par with T₂ and T₃ (13.0%). The lowest dry recovery was observed under T₇ (11.4%), which remained at par with T₅ (11.8%) and T₄ (12.0%). The higher dry recovery in T₁ may be attributed to the combined effect of all natural farming components, which improved soil health, nutrient availability and dry matter accumulation. These findings are in agreement with Kadam and Kamble (2020) [3] .

Rhizome volume

The data presented in Table 1 revealed that rhizome volume was significantly influenced by different treatments. Among all treatments, T₁ recorded the maximum rhizome volume (441 cc), which was significantly superior over all other treatments. The minimum rhizome volume was recorded under T₇ (308 cc). Treatments T₆ (356 cc) and T₃ (337 cc) were statistically at par and recorded comparatively higher rhizome volume among the remaining treatments. Higher rhizome volume under T₁ may be due to better soil structure, higher moisture retention and balanced nutrient availability under integrated natural farming practices.

Rhizome yield

The data presented in Table 1 showed that turmeric yield was significantly affected by different natural farming treatments. Treatment T₁ recorded the highest turmeric yield (17,056 kg/ha), which was substantially higher than all other treatments. The lowest yield was observed under T₇ (9339 kg/ha). Treatments T₆ (14,214 kg/ha) and T₃ (12,692 kg/ha) were found statistically at par and recorded comparatively higher yield among the remaining treatments. The significantly higher yield recorded under T₁ might be due to the synergistic effect of all natural farming components which enhanced soil fertility, nutrient availability, microbial activity and moisture conservation, ultimately leading to better rhizome growth and higher yield.

Dry yield of turmeric

Dry yield of turmeric differed significantly among the natural farming treatments (Table 1). Treatment T₁ recorded the highest dry yield (2797.0 kg/ha), followed by treatment T₆ (1750.0 kg/ha) and T₃ (1639.3 kg/ha), which were statistically at par. The lowest dry yield was observed under treatment T₇ (1070.2 kg/ha), remaining at par with treatments T₅ (1120.0 kg/ha) and T₄ (1138.9 kg/ha). The higher dry yield in T₁ may be attributed to the combined effect of all natural farming components, which enhanced crop growth and dry matter accumulation. Similar results were reported by Kadam and Kamble (2020) [3] . Factor productivity varied among the treatments. The highest factor productivity was recorded in treatment T₇ (45.24%), followed by treatment T₅ (44.01%) and treatment T₄ (43.83%), whereas the lowest was observed in T₆ (16.66%). Treatments T₂ and T₃ recorded factor productivity of 32.78% and 25.58%, respectively.

Economics

Gross realization

The gross realization was considerably influenced by different natural farming practices as shown in Table 4.21. Gross realization ranged from ₹4,88,063 to ₹13,07,225/ha. Among all

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors are sincerely grateful to the Director of Research and Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Halol, Gujarat, for granting approval and providing the necessary support and encouragement throughout the course of this research.

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