Abstract

In order to study the impact of gamma irradiation in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), experiments were carried out during the year 2000-2003 in the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with two replications using three genotypes namely Salem local - G1 (CL144), Alleppy finger turmeric - G2 (CL146) and PTS 43 - G3 (CL147). The treatments consisted of seven doses of gamma rays (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 kR) along with a control. The study revealed that lower doses of gamma rays were favourable for the yield contributing characters. The correlation study established that the weight of mother rhizomes, number, length and girth of primary rhizomes and number of secondary rhizomes expressed positive correlation with yield per plant in vMo generation. Similarly, the number, weight, length and girth of primary rhizomes, number, weight and length of secondary rhizomes and curing per cent were positively correlated with yield per plant in vM1 generation.

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