Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Harvesting and yield

• Turmeric comes to maturity in 7-10 months after planting, depending
• upon the variety. The noticeable maturity indices are the complete
• yellowing of the leaves and the drying up of plants including the
• pseudostem. Usually the land is ploughed or dug with a spade and the whole clump is lifted with the plant, inciuding the base of the stem. While doing so, it must be ensured that the rhizomes are not injured.
  
• The leafy tops are then cut off, the roots removed, and the rhizomes thoroughly washed with water to remove the adhering earth. The fingers (daughter rhizomes) are separated form the rounds (mother rhizomes) manually.
• The yield in turmeric has been observed to vary very greatly. However, a yield of about 20-25 t of raw turmeric per hectare in the case of irrigated and 6-9 t/ha in the case of rain-fed crops is considered satisfactory. After keeping aside the required quantity of rhizomes for planting, the rest of the bulk is cured and polished.