Articles
INFLUENCE OF THE RATE AND TIMING OF MULCHING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE L.)
Article number
1007_35
Pages
323 – 328
Language
English
Abstract
The growth and yield of ginger following different rates and times of application of mulch was investigated at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ginger is a crop which exhausts soil nutrients and requires heavy mulching to enhance sprouting, improve water infiltration and to increase soil organic matter in order obtain high yields.
The experiment was laid out in a 3×4 factorial randomized complete block design using three replicates, and consisted of three levels of mulch (5, 8 and 10 t/ha) at four different applications times (at planting, 6 weeks after planting, 9 weeks after planting and 12 weeks after planting). The mulching material used was green Chromolaena odorata. Plant height, number of leaves and number of branches was not significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the rate of mulching, although the highest values for plant height and leaf and branch number were obtained from the 10 t/ha application rate.
There were significant differences between time of mulching in terms of plant height and number of leaves.
The highest growth parameter was recorded for mulching done at planting.
Ginger yield was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the rate and time of mulching.
The highest yields of 24.53 and 26.93 t/ha were obtained for 10 t/ha of mulch and for mulch applied at planting respectively, while the lowest yields of 18.51 and 15.42 t/ha were recorded for 5 t/ha of mulch and for mulch applied at 12 weeks after planting respectively.
Ginger is a crop which exhausts soil nutrients and requires heavy mulching to enhance sprouting, improve water infiltration and to increase soil organic matter in order obtain high yields.
The experiment was laid out in a 3×4 factorial randomized complete block design using three replicates, and consisted of three levels of mulch (5, 8 and 10 t/ha) at four different applications times (at planting, 6 weeks after planting, 9 weeks after planting and 12 weeks after planting). The mulching material used was green Chromolaena odorata. Plant height, number of leaves and number of branches was not significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the rate of mulching, although the highest values for plant height and leaf and branch number were obtained from the 10 t/ha application rate.
There were significant differences between time of mulching in terms of plant height and number of leaves.
The highest growth parameter was recorded for mulching done at planting.
Ginger yield was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the rate and time of mulching.
The highest yields of 24.53 and 26.93 t/ha were obtained for 10 t/ha of mulch and for mulch applied at planting respectively, while the lowest yields of 18.51 and 15.42 t/ha were recorded for 5 t/ha of mulch and for mulch applied at 12 weeks after planting respectively.
Publication
Authors
G.S. Akinwumi, T.A. Fariyike, O.O. Olufunmi, I.A. Olabode, B.A. Adelaja
Keywords
Chromolaena odorata, mulch, Zingiber officinale
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