Growth and yield of mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) as influence of plant density, organo-mineral fertilizer, and weeding frequency

Abstract

Initial slow growth of mango ginger makes them extremely susceptible to weed interference with high yield losses. Therefore, adequate fertilization and timely weeding becomes necessary for enhanced productivity. Thus, effects of weeding frequency and different application rates of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) on mango ginger planted at different densities was investigated in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The experiment was conducted using a split-split-plot arrangement with three replications. The main plot consisted of two plant densities: 444,444 plants/ha and 250,000 plants/ha. The subplot included: OMF rate (0, 2.4, and 3.6 tha−1). The sub-subplot was six levels of weeding frequency. Planting at 444,444 plants/ha gave significantly higher rhizome yield. Application of 3.6 tha−1 OMF caused a significant reduction in weed density, resulting in significantly higher rhizome yield and count. Mango ginger plots that were weed-free throughout the crop life cycle produced the highest rhizome yield, but did not give the highest profit. However, rhizome yield on plots weeded at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks after planting (WAP) gave the highest net profit. There was a significant interaction between plant density and OMF for crop vigor score at 6 and 12 WAP, with the plant density of 444,444 plants/ha and application of 3.6 tha−1 OMF yielding a higher vigor score than 250,000 plants/ha and 0 tha−1 OMF combination. We concluded that application of 3.6 tha−1 of organo-mineral, weeding at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 WAP gave the highest profit and thus recommended for commercial production of mango ginger.