TURMERIC

(Curcuma longa)

ABSTRACT

Turmeric is an ancient spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa,

which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Also known as
'Golden Spice of India' turmeric has been used in India for medicinal
purposes for centuries. It has been used in traditional medicine as a
household remedy for various diseases, including biliary disorders, anorexia,
cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, rheumatism and sinusitis. In
addition to its use as a spice and pigment, turmeric and its constituents
mainly curcumin and essential oils shows a wide spectrum of biological
actions. These include its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic,
anti-mutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, anti-diabetic, antibacterial,
antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, anti-fibrotic, anti-venom, antiulcer,
hypotensive and hypocholesteremic activities. Modern interest on turmeric
started in 1970's when researchers found that the herb may possess anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Safety evaluation studies indicate
that both turmeric and curcumin are well tolerated at a very high dose
without any toxic effects. Thus, turmeric and its constituents have the
potential for the development of modern medicine for the treatment of
various diseases.

INTRODUCTION:

Turmeric has also been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, which
integrates the medicinal properties of herbs with food. This extraordinary
herb has found its way into the spotlight in the west and rest of globe,
because of its wide range of medicinal benefits. Use of turmeric dates back
nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture in India. It is extensively used in
Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine as home remedy for various diseases
1, 2 . Turmeric, derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, (family-
Zingiberaceae) is a perennial plant having short stem with large oblong
leaves, and bears ovate, pyriform or oblong rhizomes, which are often
branched and brownish-yellow in colour.

BACKGROUND AND USES

Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a spice native to India. Historically, turmeric
has been used throughout India, China and Indonesia as a spice and
medicinal agent. Turmeric is a mild spice that enhances the flavor of other
spices and foods and is the base of most

Indian curries. Traditionally, turmeric has been used topically to heal and
reduce bleeding associated with bruises, sprains, leech bites and inflamed
joints. It has also been used internally for liver and digestive complaints,
menstrual insufficiency and cramping, jaundice, and as an anti-inflammatory
agent.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, turmeric, or haldi as it is known in Hindi, works

well with all doshas, with its main action being to reduce mucus from the
system.

Turmeric is considered to be one of the most important herbs in the

Ayurvedic tradition. The medical use of turmeric goes back more than 5000
years. Turmeric is ubiquitous in India, and can be found in the turmeric
plantations, herbal medicine preparations, spice bazaars, dyes, and in food.
In the United States of America, Turmeric has been granted Generally
Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA.

Turmeric has been used traditionally for almost every human ailment and
many of these historic uses have been scientifically validated with
application in modern times.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the vital spice crops and is eminent
indigenous herbal medicine. It is utilized for flavouring and colouring of a
variety of dishes on domestic scale as well as in food industries. The
productivity of turmeric is low in acidic soils due to the presence of
exchangeable aluminium and iron, fixation of phosphorus and leaching and
runoff losses of nitrogen and potassium in high rainfall areas. Turmeric
nutrient requirement is quite high due to shallow rooting and potential to
produce large amount of dry matter per unit area. Application of organic and
in-organic fertilizers is indispensable as their conjunctive use stimulates the
mineralization of nitrogen and sulphur and diminish the fixation of
phosphorus and potassium in the acidic soils (Kamat et al., 1982; and Singh
et al., 2001). In fact, addition of organic manures has shown substantial
augment in crop yield and improved physical, chemical and biological
properties of soils (Dudhat et al., 1997), In addition, the application of
farmyard manure or organics is useful, since in addition to major nutrients,
they also provides the micronutrients that are quite valuable for optimum
growth and development of the crop plants. But, its alone use is not ample to
meet crop nutrient requirement. Conversely, the use of inorganic fertilizers
alone poses serious threat to sustainability of agricultural productivity.
Therefore, the best substitute is integrated nutrient management for
sustainable production and health of soil. The use of both the organic and
chemical fertilizers in required quantity assumes unique significance as
complementary and supplementary to each other in crop production. The
use of organics in combination with inorganic fertilizer materials enhances
the nutrient use efficiency also.

The use of organics as mulch is popular in some parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Mulching is in fact, the practice of covering the crop with different materials
such as crop residues, farm waste, farmyard manure etc. that has
pronounced effect on the structure and physical environment of the soil with
particular reference to hydrothermal regime. The increase in soil moisture
and optimum temperature lead to better utilization of the added nutrients in
colder regions (Said and Altaf, 1963).

Besides, mulch affords protective cover to soil against rainfall impact,

decreases evaporation, reduces surface runoff, increases infiltration, reduces
weed infestation and enhances the germination percentage and eventually
growth and yield of crops.

In turmeric also, mulching with farmyard manure is also practiced by the

farmers in some parts of the state. Hence, present research was undertaken
to study the effect of organic manure and chemical fertilizers alone and in
combination with each other on the yield, quality, nutrient uptake by
turmeric and consequent effect on soil properties.

The related literature from state, country and abroad associated with study
entitled Integrated Nutrient Management Studies on Yield and Quality of
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in an Acid Alfisol has been appraised under the
following heads and sub-heads.