ABSTRACT
This study was designated to investigate the effect of sett size and plant population on yield, nutrient content and uptake of turmeric as well as the post-harvest soil chemical properties. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. The study involved three sett sizes (10, 15 and 20 g) and four plant populations (250,000, 333,333, 500,000 and 1,000,1000 plants per hectare (pph)) in a 3 x4 factorial arrangement fitted into randomized complete block design in three replications. Data were collected on fresh and dry rhizome yield, multiplication ratio (MR), nutrient content, uptake and soil chemical properties. Results showed that increase in sett size and plant population brought about increase in fresh and dry rhizome yield but decrease in MR. However, plant population had no significant (p>0.05) effect on dry rhizome yield. The lowest N (1.16 %) and Ca (1.12 %) contents were observed in rhizomes harvested from the 20 g setts but had the highest concentration of P (0.43 %) and K (1.25 %). Rhizomes derived from plant population of 1,000,000 had the lowest concentration of N (1.21 %) but highest in Ca (1.17 %). increase in sett size and plant population resulted in increase in P, K, Ca and Mg uptakes. The largest sett size and highest plant population had the highest P, K, Ca and Mg uptakes. Increase in sett size brought about increase in soil pH, available P and exchangeable cations but decrease with exchangeable acidity. Soils cropped with 20 g setts had the highest pH (5.76) and exchangeable Mg (0.18 cmol kg-1 ) but lowest total N (0.91 g kg-1 ), exchangeable Na (0.13 cmol kg-1 ) and exchangeable acidity (1.42 cmol kg-1 ). Higher plant population depressed organic C, total N, exchangeable Na and exchangeable acidity. Based on these findings, 10 g sett and 250,000 pph are thereby suggested for turmeric farmers with limiting planting material and desirable yield quality with higher crude protein. However, for higher yield and where planting material is unlimited, a sett size of 20 g and 500,000 pph are suggested for turmeric farmers for implementation.
