Effects of light intensity and vermicompost on the yield of
ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc).
Vastrad, N. V. , Sulikeri, G. S. , Hegde, R. V.
Division of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
- 580 005, India.
The yield and yield components of ginger cv. Bidar local under normal
(open) and reduced (shaded) light conditions, and 5 fertilizer
treatments (recommended fertilizer rate (RFR) of 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha;
75% RFR + 25% vermicompost; 50% RFR + 50% vermicompost; 25% RFR + 75%
vermicompost; and 100% vermicompost at 8 t/ha) were studied in Dharwad,
Karnataka, India during 1998/99. Reduced light condition (by 40-50%)
was obtained by growing dwarf castor bean cv. Aruna as an intercrop at
a spacing of 90 x 30 cm. The average fresh rhizome yield (11.54 t/ha)
and cured rhizome yield (3.64 t/ha) were higher under normal light
conditions than under reduced light conditions (6.40 and 1.58 t/ha,
respectively). Among the fertilizer treatments, 100% RFR recorded the
highest average fresh rhizome yield (10.21 t/ha). The application of
75% RFR + 25% vermicompost resulted in an average fresh rhizome yield
(9.16 t/ha) which was almost as high. The effect of the interaction
between light intensity and vermicompost on fresh rhizome yield was
significant. The highest fresh rhizome yield was obtained with the
combination between normal light and 100% RFR (12.64 t/ha) or
vermicompost (12.03 t/ha). Curing percentage was highest with 100% RFR
(16.73%) and 75% RFR + 25% vermicompost (16.61%). Among the fertilizer
treatments, 100% vermicompost recorded the highest cured rhizome yield
(3.12 t/ha). |
