The effect of potasium fertilizer doses on growth and yield of red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum)

Abstract

Red ginger has high prospects for export, the traditional medicine, food beverage industry and cooking spices. The many benefits of red ginger have caused an increase in market demand. Plants need potassium nutrients because it affects physiological processes and strengthen the tissue so need in large quantities. This study aimed to find out the optimum dose potassium fertilizer to the growth and yield of red ginger. This research by experiment was conducted on March - August 2021 at the University of Sebelas Maret experimental land in Jatiyoso with 7°43′24.7”S 111°05′31.2”E coordinates and the altitude is 800m.asl. The experiment design is Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) one factor with 4 levels. Each of level replicated 6 times, so there are 24 experimental units. The treatments levels are control, dose of KCl 50, 100, and 150kgha−1. The observational data was analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) 5% and continued by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) 5%. From this research it shows that the application of potassium fertilizer influenced the growth and yield of ginger. It could be seen from the tables presented in the manuscript that showed at least one treatment resulted in a significant difference of observed variables with other treatments.