eng Science and Education Publishing Research in Plant Sciences 2333-8539 2026-01-30 14 1 19 27 10.12691/plant-14-1-3 PLANT20261413 article Bipul K Biswas biswasb@fvsu.edu 1 Nichole Mullen 2 Arthur Roberson 3 Associate Professor, MS Biotechnology Program, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, USA Graduate Biotechnology Research Scholar, MS Biotechnology Program, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, USA Research Assistant, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, USA 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. https://pubs.sciepub.com/plant/14/1/3/plant-14-1-3.pdf Curcuma longa Curcuminoids Nitrogen Management Secondary Metabolites Antibacterial Efficacy