Agronomic Performance of Mulch Materials and Mulching Rates on Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Rhizome Yield, Nutritional Quality and Nutrient Uptake in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

An experiment was carried out from June 2023 to February 2024 at the Biotechnology Advanced Research Centre Farm in Garki-Abuja to evaluate the effects of mulching rates and materials on a local turmeric variety. The 3x3 factorial experiment was set up using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and was carried out three times. Three mulching materials (rice husk, soybean straw and sawdust) and three mulching rates (0, 5 and 10 t/ha) made up the treatments. Protein, magnesium, calcium, iron, and manganese were among the nutritional attributes gathered. Calcium, manganese, iron, potassium, magnesium, and nitrogen were the elements concerned with nutrient absorption and potassium, respectively. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) were used to compare the significant means of the mineral contents and nutrient uptake.The findings showed that the best calcium content (107.97 mg/100 g) was obtained with a mulching rate of 10 t/ha, whereas the highest magnesium mineral content (33.49 mg 100 g) was created by sawdust mulch material. It is evident that soybean mulch material had the maximum potassium nutrient uptake (110.29 mg 100 g), whereas mulching at a rate of 5 t/ha produced the same nutrient uptake element (100.93 mg 100 g).In the turmeric farming communities in the study region, sawdust mulch material at a rate of 10 t/ha can be suggested for the generation of mineral contents and soybean mulch at a rate of 5 t/ha for nutrient uptake.