1Associate Professor, MS Biotechnology Program, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, USA
2Graduate Biotechnology Research Scholar, MS Biotechnology Program, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, USA
3Research Assistant, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, USA
Research in Plant Sciences.
2026,
Vol. 14 No. 1, 19-27
DOI: 10.12691/plant-14-1-3
Copyright © 2026 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Bipul K Biswas, Nichole Mullen, Arthur Roberson. Optimizing Cultivation Parameters and Bioactive Potential of
Curcuma longa L. in Non-Traditional Climates.
Research in Plant Sciences. 2026; 14(1):19-27. doi: 10.12691/plant-14-1-3.
Correspondence to: Bipul K Biswas, Associate Professor, MS Biotechnology Program, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, USA. Email:
biswasb@fvsu.eduAbstract
This study evaluated the impact of various soil amendments on turmeric (Curcuma longa) biomass production, curcuminoid concentration, and subsequent antibacterial efficacy. Twenty soil treatments, including a control, were applied to raised beds. Post-harvest, total biomass was recorded as fresh weight. Curcumin content was quantified via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and the resulting extracts were screened for antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Soil amendments applied at a nitrogen concentration of 300 kg/ha significantly enhanced turmeric biomass compared to other treatments. Furthermore, the treatments influenced the secondary metabolite profile, with specific amendments yielding peak curcumin concentrations. These findings suggest that optimized nitrogen-based soil amendments not only maximize physical yield but also enhance the bioactive potential of turmeric, providing a strategic approach for high-quality pharmaceutical-grade cultivation.
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