Effect of stage of maturity at harvest on the quality of different accessions of turmeric (Curcuma domestica Val) in Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of harvesting stages on quality of turmeric. Three accessions of turmeric with five harvesting stages were evaluated in a factorial combination. Samples (1 kg each) were harvested, dried and quality parameters were recorded. The analysis indicated that moisture content was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by accessions and harvesting stages. The lowest moisture content (74.3%) was attained from Pack.6/82 harvested 8 months and the highest moisture content (78.81%) was attained from Bonga.51/71 harvested 11 months after planting. The highest essential oil content in fresh (1.21%) and in dried rhizomes (5.13%) was recorded from Bonga.51/71 harvested 7 months after planting. On the other hand, oleoresin content was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by cultivar. The highest oleoresin content in fresh (2.77%) and in dried rhizomes (11.45%) was obtained in Bonga.51/71. The results of the present study showed that accession Bonga.51/71 and cultivar Dame (Ind.48/72) were superior with respect to major quality parameters indicating the potential for export provided that recommended harvesting and processing methods applied. The accessions showed higher quality performances when harvested from 7 to 8 months after planting and is recommendable for producers for extraction and export.