Ecological implication of turmeric cultivation in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa.
Mohanty D. C., Pattnaik A. K., Senapati A. K., Dash D. K.
Author Affiliation: High Altitude Research Station, Pottangi 764039, India.
Environment and Ecology 16 : 468-470
Abstract : In field trials in 1993-96 at Pottangi, Orissa, India, turmeric cv. Roma was planted on a previously deforested area as a sole crop without mulching (control), as an intercrop under a canopy of guavas, pummelos, rose apples, silver oaks [Grevillea robusta], mangoes and coffee (with the natural leaf fall as a mulch), or as a sole crop with dry leaf mulching. Soil erosion was significantly lower in the intercropping (0.235 t/ha soil washed away) and mulching (0.318 t/ha) treatments than in the control (0.936 t/ha). Both treatments also substantially increased the organic carbon, available P and K in the soil after harvest, and significantly increased plant height, number of tillers/plant, leaves/tiller and rhizome yield, compared to the control treatment.