Quick stats
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
|---|---|
| Typical harvest | 23.0 t/ha |
| Varieties | 3 |
| Pests & diseases | 4 |
| Seasons | 3 |
Crop profile
| Growth habit | perennial |
|---|---|
| Days to harvest | 270 |
| Main uses | Fresh and dried rhizomes for spice/colouring, processing into powder and pastes. |
| Pollination | unknown |
| Origin / where it grows | Thrives in warm, humid to sub-humid mid-altitudes with reliable moisture or irrigation. |
Weather, soil & spacing
| Best temperature | 20–30 °C |
|---|---|
| Rainfall | 1200–1600 mm/yr |
| Altitude | 0–2000 m |
| Best pH | 6–6.8 |
| Soil type | Loose, well-drained loam/sandy loam rich in organic matter for finger development. |
| Row spacing | 60 cm |
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Planting depth | 5 cm |
| Seed rate | 2000 kg/ha |
| Nursery days | — |
Simple notes for farmers
About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 270 days after planting, depending on care and variety.
Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh and dried rhizomes for spice/colouring, processing into powder and pastes..
Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by unknown. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.
Where it grows: Thrives in warm, humid to sub-humid mid-altitudes with reliable moisture or irrigation. It is grouped under: Spices & Condiments.
Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 1200 to 1600 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2000 metres above sea level.
Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.8. It does well in loose, well-drained loam/sandy loam rich in organic matter for finger development.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.
Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 25 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.
Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.
Seed or planting material: Use around 2000 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.
Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)
Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)
| # | Stage | DAP | Product | Rate | Targets (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basal at planting | 0 | NPK 17-17-17 + compost | 150 kg/ha (plus 6–8 t/ha compost) | N: 26, P₂O₅: 26, K₂O: 26 | Blend lightly into topsoil; avoid direct contact with seed pieces. |
| 2 | Early topdress | 45 | CAN 26% N | 120 kg/ha | N: 31, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0 | Apply on moist soil along rows; cover lightly. |
| 3 | Bulking K boost | 90 | Sulfate of potash (SOP) | 120 kg/ha | N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 60 | Improves finger size, density and postharvest quality. |
Nutrient requirements
| Nutrient | Stage | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | Basal | 40 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Basal | 30 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Basal | 40 | kg/ha |
| N | Topdress_early | 40 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Topdress_early | 10 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Topdress_early | 30 | kg/ha |
| N | Bulking | 20 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Bulking | 0 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Bulking | 50 | kg/ha |
| Name | Country | Maturity | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alleppey-type selection | KE | 260 | Deep colour, high curcumin; suited for drying. |
| Early yellow selection | TZ | 240 | Earlier harvest for fresh market. |
| Local turmeric (manjano) type | UG | 270 | Adapted local selection for homestead and market. |
| Stage | Product | Rate (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basal | NPK 17-17-17 + compost | 150 | With 6–8 t/ha compost incorporated pre-plant. |
| Topdress (early) | CAN 26% N | 120 | 6–8 weeks after emergence. |
| Bulking | SOP (K₂SO₄) | 120 | Boosts finger bulking and colour. |
| Name | Type | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhizome rot (Pythium/Fusarium complex) | disease | Yellowing, wilting, soft brown rhizomes with foul smell. | Well-drained raised beds, clean seed, remove infected stools and improve rotation. |
| Leaf blotch/spot | disease | Brown lesions on leaves; premature drying. | Better airflow, avoid late overhead irrigation, timely protectants when needed. |
| Root-knot nematodes | pest | Stunted clumps, poor bulking, knotted roots. | Use clean seed, rotate with non-hosts, add organic matter and solarise beds where feasible. |
| Cutworms/armyworms (early) | pest | Seedlings cut or defoliated at early stages. | Keep beds clean pre-planting; spot treat early outbreaks. |
| System | Typical | Min | Max | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-input rainfed (fresh) | 12 | 8 | 16 | Basic manuring and mulching; minimal fertilizer. |
| Managed beds (fresh) | 22 | 15 | 30 | Good seed, organic matter + balanced NPK, irrigation as needed. |
| Intensive drip + fertigation | 35 | 25 | 45 | High-quality seed, rigorous sanitation, steady feeding and moisture. |
| Country | Region | Planting | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| KE | High rainfall highlands & irrigated mid-altitudes | Onset of long or short rains on raised, mulched beds. | 8–10 months after planting depending on market (fresh vs dry). |
| TZ | Southern highlands & northern irrigated belts | Start of main rains or under irrigation any time. | Staggered harvests based on demand and curing plans. |
| UG | Moist mid-altitudes with good drainage | At onset of reliable rains on friable soils. | Most crops ready 9–10 months from planting. |
| Country | Region | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| KE | Central & Rift highlands; wet mid-altitudes | High |
| TZ | Southern highlands; Kilimanjaro/Arusha irrigated pockets | High |
| UG | Mid-altitude belts with dependable rainfall and drainage | High |