Effect of Fertilization on Yield and NPK Contents in Red Ginger

Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of NPK fertilization on red ginger yield and nutrient content of mature plants.

Study Design: 16 treatments were defined from N, P and K combinations, with three replications in complete random blocks. The experimental unit was one cluster with stems.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from February 2012 to January 2013 on a 10-years-old commercial plantation. The plantation is located at 18° 17’ 43.49’’ NL and 93° 12’ 28.68’’ WL in Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico.

Methodology: Each 15 days along a year were recorded variables for the cluster, and for commercial stems and flowers. Then one plant per experimental unit was separated into flower, leaf, stem and rhizome to analyze NPK. With the data, an analysis of variance, means comparison (Tukey, P ≤ 0.05), and Pearson correlation were performed.

Results: With the doses of 216-00-00 kg NPK ha-1, the plants developed the largest stem (2.17 cm) and flower (6.33 cm) diameters and the highest dry commercial (28.89 g) and total (199.3 g) biomass. The highest fresh weight of the non-commercial biomass (383.2 g) was found in plants fertilized with 322-04-90, but this value was statistically equal to that obtained with the doses 216-00-00 (335.81 g). The NPK content found in red ginger leaf, stem, flower and rhizome satisfied the requirements established for P, but not for N and K. The N content was the unique nutrient correlated to the yield of red ginger.

Conclusion: The fertilization with 216 kg N ha-1 was the best to favor red ginger yield.