Damage recovery, growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma spp.) plant with Manda 31 application after typhoon occurrence

Manda 31 is a fermented natural plant concentrate, which improves yield and quality of crops, vegetables and fruits without any hazard of environment factors. A series of experiments was conducted at the Subtropical Field Science Center of the University of the Ryukyus in 1999-2000, actually to examine the efficacy of manda 31 on growth and yield of turmeric. Manda 31 at 100ppm was applied 10 times to leaf, soil or leaf and soil at a 15-day interval until November. A strong typhoon, occurred on September 22, 1999, caused severe damages of turmeric plants in all fields equally. It was unbelievable that there were some differences in damage recovery and growth of turmeric plants between manda 31 applied field and commercial field (Manda 31 not applied), after typhoon occurred. Hence, in this paper, we compared damage recovery, growth and yield of turmeric between manda 31 applied field and commercial field. New tillers and leaves of turmeric plants developed within 15 days of typhoon occurred in the manda 31 applied field, and continued the process up to November. Around 70% of damaged plants recovered due to continuous application of manda 31, and the plants remained green up to December. It was also unbelievable that the plants in some rows in commercial field, which were adjacent to the manda 31 applied field (up to 18 m from manda 31 applied field), produced some new tillers and leaves, and remained green until November. On the other hand, the plants in this field, which were greater than 18 m from manda 31 applied field, withered within 40 days of typhoon occurred. Turmeric yield was around three times higher in manda 31 treated field than that in commercial field. Yield in the first four rows (4-11 m from manda 31 treated field) of commercial field was significantly higher than that in far rows (>11 m). Effect of manda 31 was not observed on plants in rows with greater than 18 m from manda 31 applied field. These results indicate that the manda 31 is effective in stress condition of plant, and plants in neighboring field of manda 31 applied field may be benefited with manda 31. It was assumed that manda 31 moved with heavy rainfall to the neighboring field.