Effect of Organic Amendments on Growth, Nutrient Uptake Pattern and Yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Chitra R,Vinothini L

doi:10.29321/maj.10.000471

Abstract

The high yield of ginger is function of adequate and timely supply of plant nutrients. Among the various agronomic technologies influencing the production of ginger, nutrition is found to exert a great influence on growth and yield of ginger. Imbalance, low or no fertilizer application is one of the most important factors in obtaining the poor yield. Hence, the trial was taken to study the effect of organic manures (FYM, neem cake, vermicompost, Azospirillum) and biostimulants (panchakavya, humic acid and PPFM) on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of ginger at Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers and leaf area were found to be higher in the plants fed with 50% N (FYM) +25% N (Neem cake) + 25% N (Vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ha) + Panchakavya (3%). The maximum green rhizome yield (23.55 t ha-1) was obtained with the application of 50% N (FYM) +25% N (Neem cake) + 25% N (Vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ ha) + Panchakavya (3%) per hectare. The highest uptake of nitrogen (119.06 kg ha-1) and potassium (197.56 kg ha-1) was found in the application of 50% N (FYM) +25% N (Neem cake) + 25% N (vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ ha) + panchakavya (3%) per hectare The maximum amount of Phosphorus uptake (14.35 kg ha-1) was recorded in the application of 50% N (FYM) +25% N (neem cake) + 25% N (vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ha) + humic acid (0.1%). In ginger cultivation, the application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers commonly practiced to increase the yield and quality of rhizome. Considering the world demand for organic food, the improvement of soil health, productivity and the availability of local resources, cultivation under organic farming can be encouraged. Keywords: Bio-stimulants; Growth parameters; Ginger; Nutrient uptake; Organic manures; Yield

Highlights

Ginger is botanically known as Zingiber officinale Rosc., belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and in the natural order Scitamineae
Application of 50% N (FYM) +25% N (Neem cake) + 25% N (Vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ha) + Panchakavya (3%) recorded the highest plant height (60.20 cm) followed by application of 75% N (FYM) + 25% N (Vermicompost) + Humic acid (0.1%) (57.40 cm)
The data on number of tillers per plant was recorded highest in the plant fed with 50% N (FYM) +25% N (Neem cake) + 25% N (Vermicompost) + Azospirillum (5kg/ha) + Panchakavya (3%) (9.80)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Ginger is botanically known as Zingiber officinale Rosc., belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and in the natural order Scitamineae. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 3-4 feet in height with thick spreading tuberous rhizomes It is valued as a commercial crop, which is grown for its aromatic rhizomes and primarily being used as a spice and medicine (Sharma et al, 2010). Ginger is a long-growing crop, which needs a balanced supply of nutrients to boost its fresh rhizome yield with improved quality. Combined application of different organic sources such as the farmyard manure, vermicompost and neemcake results in to high yield and quality rhizomes of turmeric (Sarma et al, 2015). It will be helpful for sustainable agricultural development but will avoid chemical-based farming. In the light of these observations, the present study was undertaken to investigate the comparative effect of organic manures, biofertilizers, bio-stimulants and their different combinations on yield and uptake of N, P, and K by ginger crop

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Ethics statement