Turmeric Harvest Know-How Quiz

Discover key facts about turmeric harvesting, timing, and post-harvest handling in horticulture. Perfect for beginners seeking practical agricultural insights.

1. Optimal Harvest Time

   When is the best time to harvest turmeric rhizomes for maximum yield and quality?

   1. After the soil is flooded
   2. As soon as new shoots appear
   3. When the plant is still flowering
   4. When the leaves turn yellow and start drying

   Explanation: The correct time to harvest turmeric is when the leaves turn yellow and begin to dry, indicating the plant has matured. Harvesting during flowering or when new shoots appear results in immature, low-yield rhizomes. Flooded conditions can promote rot and are not recommended for harvesting.

2. Harvesting Practice

   What is the typical method used to harvest turmeric in small to medium-scale farms?

   1. Burning foliage before collection
   2. Uprooting with a spade or digging fork
   3. Cutting at soil surface with scissors
   4. Pulling by hand without tools

   Explanation: Farmers commonly use a spade or digging fork to carefully uproot turmeric rhizomes, minimizing damage. Using scissors is not effective for underground parts, pulling by hand often breaks the rhizomes, and burning foliage can destroy the crop and is not practiced.

3. Post-Harvest Step

   What is the important first step after turmeric rhizomes are harvested from the field?

   1. Applying chemical fertilizers
   2. Washing to remove soil and dirt
   3. Covering with plastic sheets
   4. Mixing with salt water

   Explanation: Immediately after harvesting, rhizomes are washed to remove soil and impurities, which is essential for quality. Applying fertilizers is unnecessary post-harvest, covering with plastic can cause spoilage, and mixing with salt water is not a standard practice.

4. Boiling Purpose

   Why are harvested turmeric rhizomes typically boiled before drying?

   1. To make them soft for eating
   2. To remove raw odor and enhance color
   3. To increase the moisture content
   4. To fertilize the next crop

   Explanation: Boiling turmeric rhizomes eliminates raw odor and improves their characteristic color, which is important for market quality. It does not make them softer for eating, nor does it increase moisture or contribute nutrients for future crops.

5. Curing Process

   Which of these steps follows boiling in the turmeric curing process before storage or sale?

   1. Direct packaging without drying
   2. Storing in airtight containers immediately
   3. Sun-drying the boiled rhizomes
   4. Grinding while still wet

   Explanation: After boiling, turmeric rhizomes are sun-dried to reduce moisture and prevent spoilage, which ensures safe storage. Direct packaging or storage without drying leads to mold, while grinding wet rhizomes is impractical due to high moisture content.