Standardization of Fertigation Regimes of Ginger Cultivars

Standardization of fertigation regimes for ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) cultivars was studied at the Department of Horticulture, GKVK, UAS, Bangalore during 2021-22 under the eastern dry zone of Karnataka. Two cultivars, Rio-de-Janeiro and Himachal, were evaluated in RCBD with 11 treatments replicated thrice. Treatments included 50-200% RDF applied through fertigation, alone or with biofertilizers (Azotobacter, PSB, AMF, and potassium mobilizers), along with FYM and neem cake.Results showed that 200% RDF (200:100:100 kg N: P₂O₅ K₂O/ha) via fertigation + FYM (30 t/ha) + neem cake (2 t/ha) significantly improved growth and yield. It recorded maximum plant height (40.24, 41.50 cm), tillers/clump (115.86, 112.40), leaves/plant (10.26, 9.66), primary (3.56, 4.96) and secondary fingers (2.93, 3.80), fresh (11.46, 14.54 t/ha) and dry rhizome yield (3.81, 2.47 t/ha) in Rio-de-Janeiro and Himachal, respectively. Quality parameters such as gingerol (11.75-12.00%), oleoresin (9.26-9.47%), crude fibre (6.10-6.18%), and essential oil (2.94-3.00%) were also highest. Maximum B: C ratio was 1.95 (Rio-de-Janeiro) and 2.58 (Himachal).