Growth and yield performances of turmeric (<em>curcuma longa</em>) grown in dry zone of Sri Lanka as affected by planting space, growing media and shade

Turmeric is mainly grown as monocrop or intercrop in wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. However, promoting the dry zone turmeric cultivation under intensive irrigation and proper shade conditions could address the increased demand for locally produced Turmeric and create an extra potential for exportation. Therefore, it is essential and urgent need to find out the feasibility of growing Turmeric in dry and semi-arid areas. Thus, this study focus evaluate the effect of different plant spacing, growing media, and shade on growth and yield performances of Turmeric in Hambantota district,belong to semi-arid zones. The split-plot design was used. The main plot consisted of two shade levels (30% shade and without shade), and subplots were assigned three spacing (30 x 20 cm, 30 x 30 cm, 30 x 40 cm) and two different potting media (Cow dung: Topsoil - 1:1, Cow dung: Topsoil: Sand – 1: 1: 0.5 replicated by three times. Results revealed no significant interaction of shade, planting spacing and planting media on plant height, leaf length and yield. However, the interaction effects were found between shade and planting media on plant height and shade and planting spacing on rhizome yield. The significant improvement of yield and plant height in plants established in cow dung: topsoil; 1:1 media under shade and plant grown in 30 x 30 cm plant spacing. The significantly highest leaf length was recorded from the plant established under 30% shade compared to without shade and the highest number of sprouts was recorded from the plants in cow dung: topsoil; 1:1 media. The significantly highest yield were recorded from the plants established in both 30 x 30 cm and 30 x 40 cm spacing under shade. Thus, the results could be concluded that plants are grown in cow dung: topsoil: 1:1 media with 30 x 40 cm spacing under 30% shade condition are suitable for turmeric cultivation under dry/semi-arid areas of Sri Lanka.