The document discusses the botany and cultivation of turmeric (Curcuma longa), including its botanical name, family, origin in Southeast Asia, major constituents like curcumin, and common names. It provides details on the plant's chromosome number, morphology, flowering biology, genetic resources, wild relatives, cultivar diversity in India, and important varieties. The main active compounds in turmeric like curcuminoids and turmerones are also summarized along with their various medicinal and biological properties.

1. Introduction
 Botanical name : Curcuma domestica Val : Syn Curcuma longa
 Family : Zingiberaceae
 Chromosome no : 2n=3x=63, x=21
 Origin : South East Asia
 Major constituent : Curcumin
 Other names- GOLDEN SPICE ,
INDIAN SAFFRON, OLDEST SPICE.
 Turmeric is derived from LATIN word
meaning (TERRA MERITA) meaning MERIT FROM EARTH

2. • The chromosome number of C. longa 2n=63 was reported frequently .
• The basic chromosome number of the genus Curcuma is suggested as
x=21 which in turn originated by dibasic amphidiploidy from x=9 and
x= 12 or by secondary polyploidy.
• Turmeric has been considered as a triploid and pollen fertility is less
than 60%.
• Even though it was believed earlier that C. longa fails to set seeds
unlike C. aromatica, seed set and germination of seeds have recorded.
• High yielding varieties also have been emerged as a result of yield and
quality evaluation of open pollinated progenies of turmeric.

3. Origin and distribution
India or China or the Indo-Malayan region is the home of
turmeric.
as a spice is largely confined to India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan,
Indonesia, Malaysa, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Africa, Central
America, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Bangladesh, El Salvador and
Taiwan.
In India Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala,
Karnataka, Orissa, Assam, Bihar and West Bengal are the
important states in cultivation of turmeric.
In Karnataka it is being cultivated in Chamarajanagar, Mysore,
Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga and Bidar districts.

4. Turmeric (whole) is a unique, colourful and versatile natural plant
product
• spice or flavourant
•colourant: It is good source of yellow dye used for dyeing cotton, silk or wool
without a mordant. It is used as a colouring matter in the pharmacy,
confectionery and the food industry.
Yellow turmeric paper can be used as a test for alkalinity, which turns it brown.
It is also used as protection against Charam' and considered as a symbol of good
fortune.
• cosmetic:
•drug useful against in a number of diseases: In Indian system of medicine
turmeric occupies an important place, as an ingredient in the preparation of
medicinal oils and ointments. It is a stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier,
vermicide and an antiseptic.

5. 1. Contains Bioactive Compounds with Powerful Medicinal Properties
2. Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound
3. Natural anti-oxidant
4. Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain
Function
5. Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
6. Can Help Prevent (And Perhaps Even Treat) Cancer
7. May be Useful in Preventing & Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
8. Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin
9. Studies Show Incredible Benefits Against Depression
10. May Help Delay Aging and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases
10 Proven Health Benefits of Curcumin

7. Curcumin (C21H20O6 ): diferuloyl methane
• is an orange-yellow crystalline powder which is the most active
component of turmeric, which makes up 2-5% of the spice.
• Curcuminoids present in turmeric are
 Curcumin (C-I)
 Demethoxy curcumin DMC (C-II),
 Bis-Demethoxy curcumin BDMC (C-III) and
 Cyclo-curcumin
• 77 % is curcumin, 17 % is DMC, 3 % is BDMC
• It is hydrophobic in nature and is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide,
acetone, ethanol and oils
• Insoluble in water & ether
• Curcumin has a brilliant yellow hue at pH 2.5 & takes a red hue at
pH>7
• antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and
antibacterial activities

9. Turmerones in leaf essential oil and rhizome oil
 The major components in C. longa leaf oil were ar-turmerone (63.4%), α-
turmerone (13.7%), and β-turmerone (12.6%)
 The rhizome oil mainly composed of ar-turmerone (31.7%), α-turmerone
(12.9%), β-turmerone (12.0%)
 Few workers reported α-Phellandrene, 1,8-Cineole and Terepenolene as major
components of the leaf essential oil
 Ar-turmerones plays an important role in self-repair and recovery of brain
function in neurodegenerative diseases.
 Ar-turmerones possess anti-microbial, anti-fungal & anti-venom properties
 Turmerones enhances the absorption and bio-availability of curcumin leading
to efficient activity
 Aromatic (Ar)-turmerone isolated from the rhizome exhibits anti-tumor and
immunomodulatory activities

10. Botany
 Turmeric an erect perennial herb, cultivated as an annual crop
for its underground rhizhomes.
 The plant is a large leaved herb, with aerial pseudostems.
 The pseudostem reaches a height of about 1m bears 8-12
leaves

11. Rhizomes have clear nodes
Inflorescence : Flowers are in cincinni of 2-7, each
cicinnus in the axil of a bract. Flowers are pale yellow
in colour, length equalling those of the bracts.
The calyx is short unequally toothed and split nearly half
way down one side.
Seeds are small , ovoid and brown in colour.

12. The rhizomes show yellow to bright orange yellow colour inside of
the rhizome. Rhizomes are rich in curcumin for which turmeric is va
lued.
The mother rhizomes are ellipsoidal or oblong or round which give
rise to primary , secondary and tertiary fingers
The outer skin of rhizome is brownish with scales and the inner
core is orange or red yellow colored.

13. Inflorescence
• Cylindrical, 10 – 15cm long
• Flowers are borne in the axils of bracts
• Calyx is short, unequally toothed
• Corolla is tubular at the base with the upper half cup shaped
• The filament of the stamen is short and broad, united to a
anther.
• Ovary is inferior and trilocular with a slender style passing
between the anther lobes
• Fruits are seldom, if ever produced

14. FLORAL BIOLOGY
• Flowering in turmeric is reported to vary depending on the
cultivars and climatic conditions.
• Flowering takes place between 109 and 155 days after
planting depending upon the variety and the environment.
• In C. aromatica, the flowering period was July-September,
whereas in C. longa, it was September-December.
• Turmeric inflorescence takes 7 to 11 days to blossoming after
the emergence of the inflorescence.
• The duration of flower opening within an inflorescence lasts
for 7- 11 days

15. • Opening of the flowers took place in the morning hours around
6 AM.
• The anthesis starts from 7 AM and continues up to 9 AM,
maximum occurring around 8 AM.
• Anther dehiscence takes place between 7.15 and 7.45 AM.
• The pollen grains of turmeric were ovoid to spherical, light
yellow in colour and slightly sticky.
• Pollen grains shows heterogeneity in size between cultivars.
• Pollen fertility as well as viability varies with the position of
flowers in the inflorescence.
• It is high in the flowers in the lower portion and low at middle
and upper portions.
• Mature capsules were observed in October-November months.

16. Mother rhizomes

17. Fingers

18. Research Institutes
• IISR, Calicut, Kerala
• High Altitude Research Station, Pottangi,
OUAT, Orissa
• SAU’s – Maharashtra Ag. Uni., GAU, TNAU,
KAU, RAU

19. Genetic Resources
• India has good diversity in turmeric cultivars
• IISR- 1040 accessions
• AICRP centres – 1326
• Germplasm is usually maintained in field gene
banks
• IISR – nuclear germplasm is planted in tubs to
maintain purity
• An in vitro gene bank of important genotypes is
also maintained at IISR and NBPGR, New Delhi

20. • Genus Curcuma occurs wide spread in the tropics of Asia,
Africa and Australia from sea level to altitude of 2000m msl.
• The genus Curcuma consists of about 117 species, from India
around 40 species are reported.
• In addition to Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR),
Calicut good collections of turmeric germplasm are also
maintained at various research centers .
• At IISR the nucleus germplasm is planted in tubs to maintain
purity .
• An in vitro gene bank of important genotypes is also
maintained at IISR and National Bureau of Plant Genetic
Resources, New Delhi.

21. Wild Species
 C . longa – Widely cultivated
 C. amada – Mango ginger
 C. angustifolia – East Indian arrowroot
 C. aromatica – cochin or kasturi turmeric
 C. caesia – Black turmeric
 C. mangga – smell of mango
 C. purpurascens – Central java
 C. xanthorhiza – largest sp. of curcuma
 C. zedoaria –white turmeric

22. C. amada – Mango ginger
C . amada is of east Indian origin.
The rhizomes are similar to ginger
but have a raw mango taste.
They are used in making pickles.
C. mangga – smell of mango
SOUTH INDIA
They are used in making pickles.

23. East Indian Arrow root
Curcuma angustifolia
This species is native to the Indian
subcontinent.
Uses :
rhizomes are used to extract starch
This species of plant is of great nutritional
value, especially as a source of starch for
Indian foods and medicines. It is found as a
primary ingredient in cakes, fruit
preserves, biscuits.
It can be used to heal peptic ulcers and is
often employed as an herbal tonic for
patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Essential oils from C. angustifolia have been
extracted and are used in antifungal
medications.
Compounds in the leaves of this plant have
also been shown to have potential as

24. C. aromatica (Kasturi manjal) –
used in medicine and toiletry articles

25. Botonical name : Curcuma caesia
Kannad : kari arishina
Is a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome, native to North-East and
Central India.
Black turmeric is also sparsely
found in the Papi Hills of East
Godavari, West Godavari, and the
Khammam districts of Andhra
Pradesh.
The rhizome of black turmeric has
a high economic importance
owing to its putative medicinal
properties.
In west Bengal, the rhizome of the
plant is used in Kali Puja, and
hence the plant is called Kali haldi.
The treatment of pneumonia,
cough, and cold in children, and
for fever and asthma in adults.
Black turmeric

26. white turmeric
tropical and subtropical wet forest regions.
The fragrant plant bears yellow flowers with red and green bract.
The edible root of zedoary has a white interior and a fragrance reminiscent of
mango; however, its flavour is more similar to ginger, except with a very bitter
aftertaste.
In Indonesia, it is ground to a powder and added to curry pastes, whereas in
India, it tends to be used fresh or in pickling. The essential oil produced from
the dried roots of Curcuma zedoaria is used in perfumery and soap
fabrication, as well as an ingredient in bitter tonics.
The curcuminoid 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one, and the
sesquiterpenes procurcumenol and epiprocurcumenol can be found in C.
zedoaria.
Curcuma zedoaria

27. C. xanthorhiza – largest sp. of curcuma
C. purpurascens – Central java

28. Cultivar Diversity
• Curcuma collections and species differ in floral
characters, aerial morphology, rhizome
morphology and chemical constituents
• More than 70 turmeric types are known under
cultivation in India

29. Grouping cultivars based on maturity
period
1. Short duration types ( Kasturi types)
• Mature in 7 months
• Rhizomes possess pleasant aroma
• Good yielder of dried turmeric and rich in volatile
content but slow in curcumin and used in culinary
preparations
• Flowering is common in these types and seeds
produce gametic seedlings
• Eg: Amalapuram and Dindigram

30. 2. Medium duration types ( Kesari types)
• Mature in 8 months
• Intermediary types
• High yielder of fresh rhizomes than kasturi
types
• Rich in curcumin and volatile oil
• Eg. Kothapet, Krishna and Kesar

31. 3. Long duration types
• Mature in 9 months
• Moderately good both for rhizome yield and
other quality parameters
• Eg: Tekurpet, Duggirala, Armur and Mydukuru

32. Varieties
LONG DURATION TYPES (9 months)
 CLL 326
 CLL 337
 DUGGIRALA
 ARMOOR
MEDIUM DURATION TYPES (8 months)
CLL 317
KESARI
SHORT DURATION TYPES (7 months)
 CA 69
 KASTURI
 SUGUNA (PCT -13)
 SUDARSANA (PCT -14)

33. Popular turmeric cultivars in India
Kasturi types (aromatica)– Kasturi Kothapeta
Kasturi Tanuku, Kasturi Amalapuram, Chaya Pasupu
Kesari types (longa) – Kesari Duvvvur, Smruthapani
– kothapeta
Long Duration types – Duggirala, Tekurpeta,
Mudukur, Armoor, Sugandham, Vontimitla,
Nandyal, Avanigadda

34. Local cultivars / varieties
• Tamilnadu – Erode, Salem
• Kerala – Alleppey, Mannuthy Local
• MH & Gujarat – Rajapuri, Sangli, Eavaigon
• Orissa – Dughi, Jobedi, Katingia
• U.P. – Gorakhpur
• Meghalaya – Lakadong

38. Variety
Average yie
ld (Fresh)
(t/ha)
Duration
(Days)
Dry recove
ry
(%)
Curcumin
(%)
Oleoresin
(%)
Essential
oil (%)
1. Suvarna
2. Suguna
3. Sudarsana
4. IISR Prabha
5. IISR Prathibha
6. Co-1
7. Krishna
8. Sugandahm
9. BSR -1
10. BSR -2
11. Roma
12. Suroma
13. Rajendra Sonia
14. Ranga
15. Rasmi
17.4
29.3
28.8
37.47
39.12
30.0
9.2
15.0
30.7
32.
20.7
20.0
4.8
29.0
31.3
200
190
190
195
188
285
240
210
285
240-250
250
253
225
250
240
20.0
12.0
12.0
19.5
18.5
19.5
16.4
23.3
20.5
22.0
31.0
26.0
18.0
24.8
23.0
4.3
7.3
5.3
6.52
6.20
3.20
2.8
3.1
4.2
4.0
9.3
9.3
8.4
6.3
6.4
13.5
13.5
15.0
15.0
16.2
6.7
3.8
11.0
4.0
3.8
13.2
13.1
---
13.5
13.4
7.0
6.0
7.0
6.5
6.2
3.7
2.0
2.7
3.7
3.7
4.2
4.4
5.0
4.4
4.4
TURMERIC

39. Yield – 32 t/ha
Duration - 250 days
Resistance - Rhizome scales
Roma
Highest curcumin 9.3%

40. Turmeric CO1
Suitable for :
•Drought condition
•Waterlogged and hilly
•Saline and alkaline.
Krishna
Moderately resistant to rhizome fly.

41. Suroma
Highest curcumin 9.3%
Suguna
Tolerant to rhizome rot

42. Sudarshana
Tolerant to rhizome rot
Ranga
Good yield under low lying areas.

43. Rasmi
Suited to dryland conditions.

44. CIM-Pitamber
It is a high-yielding curcuminoid-rich
variety of turmeric developed
by Central Institute of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants (CIMAP).
High yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds
are those seeds which produce huge
quantities of crops
In this variety, curcuminoid content is
12.5% more than the existing variety.
Curcuminoid is a substance derived
from turmeric which has anti-
cancer properties, anti-inflammatory,
anti-aging, anti-diabetic and has
several medicinal properties.

45. AMBA (CAM - 3)
 Duration - 200 days
Average Yield - 28.0 T of
Fresh rhizomes / ha
Curcumin - 0.1 %
NAU Turmeric 1
• A new variety of turmeric which is
resistant to diseases and high in
yield with better curcumin content
has been developed by Navsari
Agriculture University.
• Resistant to Rhizome rot.

46. Cultivars in Karnataka
• Kasturi: The core of the rhizome is pale yellow to white in
colour. It emits a sweet fragrance after curing.
• Mundaga: the rhizomes are large and thick with many
fingers.
• Balaga: the rhizomes are not so thick and the number
fingers are also fewer.
• Yalachaga: the rhizomes are small and few in number but
have a larger number of fingers.

47. Climate
prefers a warm and humid climate and can be cultivated in most
of the tropics and subtropics.
An annual rainfall of 100-200 cm is ideal.
It can be grown from sea level to 1200 m above MSL, but the
optimum range is 450-900 m.
It requires annual temperature range of 15-35°C. High
temperature and low humidity cause slow emergence of the
pseudostem and leaves.
Soil
well-drained loamy or alluvial soils, rich in good organic matter
are well suited.
The pH range of 5 to 7.5 is optimum for the crop.
The crop cannot withstand water logging. Gravelly, stony and
heavy clay soils are unsuitable for the crop, because of their
interference with the development of rhizomes.

48. Cultivation Preparation of land The land is prepared with the
receipt of early monsoon showers.
The soil is brought to a fine tilth by giving about four deep
ploughings.
Hydrated lime @ 500 - 1000 kg/ha has to be applied for
lateritic soils based on the soil pH and thoroughly ploughed.
Immediately with the receipt of premonsoon showers, beds of
1.0 m width, 30 cm height and of convenient length are
prepared with spacing of 50 cm between beds.
Planting is also done by forming ridges and furrows.

49.  The preferred method of propagation of turmeric is through
pieces of rhizome.
 But this is a slow process since rhizome has a dormancy period.
 It only sprouts during the monsoon, and only 5 to 6 plants can
be obtained from rhizome in a year.
 And cost of production is also high.
49

50. Seed material Whole or split mother and finger rhizomes
are used for planting and well developed healthy and
disease free rhizomes are to be selected.
The seed rhizomes are treated with mancozeb 0.3% (3 g/L
of water) for 30 minutes, shade dried for 3-4 hours and
planted.
A seed rate of 2,500 kg of rhizomes is required for planting
one hectare of turmeric.

51. Transplanting
Though transplanting in turmeric is not conventional, it is found
profitable.
A transplanting technique in turmeric by using single bud sprouts
(about 5 g) has been standardized to produce good quality
planting material with reduced cost.
The technology has been standardized at Horticulture College and
Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
The technique involves raising transplants from single sprout
seed rhizomes in the pro-tray and planted in the field after 30-40
days.
The advantages of this technology are production of healthy
planting materials and reduction in seed rhizome quantity and
eventually reduced cost on seeds.

52. Technology
• Treat the selected rhizomes with mancozeb (0.3%) and
quinalphos (0.075%) for 30 min and store in well ventilated place
• One month before planting, the seed rhizomes are cut into single
buds with small piece of rhizomes weighing 5-7 g.
• Treat the single bud sprouts (mancozeb 0.3%) for 30 min before
planting
• Fill the pro-trays (98 well) with nursery medium containing
partially decomposed coir pith and vermicompost (75:25), enriched
with PGPR/Trichoderma 10g/kg of mixture
• Plant the turmeric bud sprouts in pro-trays
• Maintain the pro-trays under shade net house (50%)
• Adopt need based irrigation with rose can or by using suitable
sprinklers . Seedlings will be ready within 30-35 days for
transplanting

65. Cleaning

66. Curing

68. Boiling

69. Drying

70. Polishing and colouring

73. Product range
• Dried Turmeric slices
• Unpolished fingers
• Polished fingers
• Powder
• Curcumin
• Oleoresin
• Leaf essential oil
• Rhizome oil (presently considered as
waste….need to find uses)
• Turmerones