Correlation studies in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Ten varieties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) were evaluated at the orchard, Department of Spices & Plantation Crops, Coimbatore during the period of 2008-09. The data recorded on yield and yield attributing characters revealed that the characters viz., number of tillers, number of leaves, leaf breadth, weight of mother rhizomes, weight of primary rhizomes, length of mother rhizomes, leaf length and plant height had significant and positive correlations with that of yield which indicates that these components are amenable for simultaneous improvement with that of yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed positive and direct effect on rhizome yield was maximum for weight of primary rhizomes (0.666) followed by leaf length (0.405), number of leaves (0.3828) and weight of mother rhizomes (0.292). Since the correlation of these characters with yield is positive and the indirect effect is positive and high, direct selection of these traits can be practised for improving the yield.