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Effect of shade levels on growth and tuber yield of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka

Article · December 2015

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American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 813-816, 2015
ISSN 1818-6769
© IDOSI Publications, 2015
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.5.12642

Effect of Different Shade Levels on Growth and Tuber Yield of

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) In the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka

S. Srikrishnah and S. Sutharsan

Department of Crop Science, Eastern University, Vantharumoolai, Sri Lanka

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and development of turmeric under four
different shade levels at Crop Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka from September
2014 to March 2015. Treatments consist of, open field condition (T1) which was considered as 0% shade level,
50% shade level (T2), 70% shade level (T3) and 80% shade level (T4), were evaluated in completely randomized
design. Agronomic practices were followed according to the recommendations of Department of Export
Agriculture, Sri Lanka. Leaf area and plant biomass were measured bimonthly and yield was quantified at the
end the experiment. Analysis of Variance was performed to determine significant differences among treatments
(P < 0.05). Results indicated that leaf area, biomass and yield were significantly higher in T2 followed by T3 than
T1.Higher radiation level would have caused destruction of photosynthetic pigments and hence reduction in
growth. In the treatments of T3 and T4, the amount of solar radiation received by the plants are not sufficient
for optimum photosynthesis. Therefore, it could be concluded that 50% shade level is suitable for the
cultivation of turmeric in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.

Key words: Biomass Leaf area Shade Levels Tuber Yield Turmeric

INTRODUCTION As such this experiment was conducted with the

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a popular spice
crop in Sri Lanka containing curcumin, which has
several medicinal values. The healing ability of
turmeric has long been recognized by traditional
medicine practitioners. Western scientists identified
evidences claims that turmeric acts as an anti-cancer
agent [1]. Turmeric is traditionally used to prepare
curry mixes in many Asian countries. In addition
turmeric is widely used in cosmetic industries, too.
Therefore, demand for turmeric continuously increasing
in Sri Lanka and turmeric cultivation is a profitable
agribusiness.
An important ecological factor to be considered to
any cultivated species is the best irradiance level [2].
Shade levels influence the growth and tuber yield of
turmeric. Turmeric grows well under partial shade
however; higher shades affects yield adversely [3].
However, the effect of different shade levels on the
growth and productivity of turmeric has not been
adequately studied and there is no recommended shade
level for turmeric cultivation in Batticaloa district.
objectives of, to compare the effect of different shade
levels on growth and yield of turmeric and to find out the
optimum shade level for turmeric cultivation in the
Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This experiment was conducted at the Crop Farm,
Eastern University, Sri Lanka from September 2014 to
March 2015. Uniform weight (40-50 g) rhizomes of turmeric
(Var. Local) with 1 to 2 buds were planted in raised beds
at a spacing of 30 cm × 25 cm.
The treatments were arranged in a completely
randomized design with three replications. Each
replication contained thirty plants and an experimental
unit consisted of one plant. The treatments were defined
as follows:
Treatment 1 (T1) - Open field (Control)
Treatment 2 (T2) - 50% shade level
Treatment 3 (T3) - 70% shade level
Treatment 4 (T4) - 80% shade level

Corresponding Author: S. Sutharsan, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

813
 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 813-816, 2015
All the crop management practices were followed
uniformly for all treatments based on the
recommendations of Department of Export Agriculture,
Sri Lanka. Destructive sampling method was practiced and
samples were selected randomly for measurements.
Leaf area (cm2) and plant biomass (g) were measured
bimonthly and yield was quantified at the end the
experiment. Analysis of Variance was performed to
determine significant differences among treatments
(P < 0.05) using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS)
Version 9.1.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Leaf Area per Plant: Leaf area per plant (LA) of turmeric
was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by different
treatments (Fig. 1). Plants grown under 50% and 70%
shade levels produced higher LA than other treatments.
Significantly highest LA was produced under 50% shade
level at 3 months after planting (MAP).
Growth of crops is interrelated to the amount of
solar radiation received during the growing period
[4]. Crop growth was suppressed by reduced
radiation levels. LA is also influenced by different shade
levels.
In 80% shade level, LA was significantly lower than
50% and 70% shade levels and LA reduced with time.
It showed that radiation received by the plants was below
their requirement. Plants grown in open field (T1)
developed significantly lowest LA than other treatments.
It showed that shading is important for the growth and
development of LA of turmeric plants. Leaf of turmeric
under shade condition grew more than those in the open
field. Growth parameters of turmeric were increased with
decreasing light levels [5]. Leaves of turmeric might be
4500
4000
3500
Leaf Area (cm2)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
T1 T2
Treatments
Fig. 1: Effect of different shade levels on leaf area per plant of turmeric. Values are mean ± Standard Error (n=3)
814
sensitive to higher irradiation levels. Higher radiation
level would have caused destruction of photosynthetic
pigments and reduction of growth. It could be the reason
for reduction of leaf area under open field conditions.
Leaves of dracaena could be sensitive to higher
irradiation levels, which would have caused destruction
of photosynthetic pigments [6].
The shade level of 50% seemed to be preferable for
optimum growth of LA of turmeric in Batticaloa district of
Sri Lanka as the LA increased with time. This pattern of
growth of LA was not seen in other treatments. It showed
that 50% shade level provide sufficient amount of light for
optimum growth of turmeric. Partial shade increased leaf
area of turmeric [7].
Plant Biomass: Significant (p<0.05) differences were
observed between different treatments in plant
biomass (Fig. 2). Plants grown in 50% shade level
produced highest biomass than other treatments.
Significantly highest biomass was produced under
50% shade level at three months after planting.
Dry matter production was decreased with decreasing
leaf area index [8]. Dry matter accumulation was decreased
due to the decrease in leaves number and leaf area index
[9]. Hence, lower LA in plants grown in open filed would
have caused reduction in photosynthesis and thereby
reduced dry matter accumulation.
In 70% and 80% shade levels, amount of solar
radiation received by the plants may not be sufficient for
the optimum photosynthesis. Therefore the biomass
accumulation might be lower in treatments T3 and T4.
Several studies [7] and [10] suggested that partial
shading is important for optimum growth of turmeric.
Thus 50% shade level seemed to be optimum for maximum
accumulation of biomass in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.
2 MAP
4 MAP
6 MAP
T3 T4
 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 813-816, 2015

120

100

80

Biomass (g)
2 MAP
60 4 MAP
6 MAP
40

20

0
T1 T2 T3 T4
Treatments
Fig. 2: Effect of different shade levels on plant biomass of turmeric. Values are mean ± Standard Error (n=3)
10000
Dried tuber (kg/ha)

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
T1 T2 T3 T4
Treatments
Fig. 3: Effect of different shade levels on the yield of turmeric. Values are mean ± Standard Error (n=10)

Yield: Different shade levels significantly (p<0.05) Therefore, it could be concluded that 50% shade level is
influenced the yield of turmeric (Fig. 3). Significantly suitable for the cultivation of turmeric in the Batticaloa
highest and lowest turmeric yield was recorded in T2 and district of Sri Lanka.
T1, respectively.
Significantly lowest yield was obtained in T1. It may REFERENCES
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