Tumeric - Post-Harvest Management Aspects
1.1 Harvest Turmeric readiness for harvest is indicated by the drying of the plant and stem, approximately 7 to 10 months after planting, depending on cultivar, soil and growing conditions. The rhizome bunches are carefully dug out manually with a spade, or the soil is first loosen with a small digger, and clumps manually lifted. It is better to cut the leaves before lifting the rhizomes. Rhizomes are cleaned from adhering soil by soaking in water, and long roots are removed as well as leaf scales. Rhizomes are then further cured and processed, or stored for the next year's planting. Rhizomes for seed purposes must be stored in well-ventilated rooms to minimize rot, but covered with the plant dry leaves to prevent dehydration. They can also be stored in pits covered with sawdust, sand, or panal ( Glycosmis pentaphylla ) leaves that may act as insect repellent. The Indian Institute of Spice Research recommends the following fungicides as a pre-storage dip treatment for rhizome ...