Articles
The effect of different phosphorus and irrigation levels on the development and early growth of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) root cuttings
Article number
1425_11
Pages
79 – 86
Language
English
Abstract
Evaluating the interaction of phosphorus and irrigation levels during production of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) at nurseries is vital to avoid shortages or waste of resources and to produce reliable seedlings.
This study investigated the effect of phosphorus source (monophosphate P or superphosphate SP), phosphorus amount (P1 or SP1=80, P2 or SP2=120 and P3 or SP3=160 kg P ha‑1) and water levels (L1=30, L2=50 or L3=80 mL) applied twice a week on ginger root cutting development and early growth.
A 3×3×2 experiment with three replications fitted in a randomized complete block design was executed in a net house in Mahikeng, South Africa.
Ginger rhizomes were purchased at the market and cut to the length of 5-cm pieces with similar diameters and possessed the same number of buds.
The cuttings were washed with distilled water before they were planted in 5-L pots containing sandy soil with known chemical and physical properties.
Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on the number of stems, number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height as well as the leaf chlorophyll contents.
SP3*L1 had the highest number of stems (2.0) followed by SP1*L3, P3*L1 or P3*L2 that had an average of 1.7 stems.
SP2*L3 had the highest number of leaves (6.7) followed by SP3*L2 (6.5). SP3*L2 had the widest stem diameter (2.3 cm) followed by P3*L2 (2.3 cm). P1*L2 had the tallest height (22.0 cm) followed by SP3*L2 that had a plant height of 20.4 cm.
SP3*L1 and SP2*L2 had the highest chlorophyl content (1.9) followed by P1*L1 (1.7). This study showed that seedlings supplied with a high concentration of superphosphate and irrigated with 50 mL of water in 5 kg sandy soil had ultimate agronomic characteristics than other treatments.
The findings are crucial during the production of ginger seedlings in nurseries as they can ensure production of vigorous seedlings.
This study investigated the effect of phosphorus source (monophosphate P or superphosphate SP), phosphorus amount (P1 or SP1=80, P2 or SP2=120 and P3 or SP3=160 kg P ha‑1) and water levels (L1=30, L2=50 or L3=80 mL) applied twice a week on ginger root cutting development and early growth.
A 3×3×2 experiment with three replications fitted in a randomized complete block design was executed in a net house in Mahikeng, South Africa.
Ginger rhizomes were purchased at the market and cut to the length of 5-cm pieces with similar diameters and possessed the same number of buds.
The cuttings were washed with distilled water before they were planted in 5-L pots containing sandy soil with known chemical and physical properties.
Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on the number of stems, number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height as well as the leaf chlorophyll contents.
SP3*L1 had the highest number of stems (2.0) followed by SP1*L3, P3*L1 or P3*L2 that had an average of 1.7 stems.
SP2*L3 had the highest number of leaves (6.7) followed by SP3*L2 (6.5). SP3*L2 had the widest stem diameter (2.3 cm) followed by P3*L2 (2.3 cm). P1*L2 had the tallest height (22.0 cm) followed by SP3*L2 that had a plant height of 20.4 cm.
SP3*L1 and SP2*L2 had the highest chlorophyl content (1.9) followed by P1*L1 (1.7). This study showed that seedlings supplied with a high concentration of superphosphate and irrigated with 50 mL of water in 5 kg sandy soil had ultimate agronomic characteristics than other treatments.
The findings are crucial during the production of ginger seedlings in nurseries as they can ensure production of vigorous seedlings.
Authors
M. Mabula, K. Ncama, N.J. Sithole
Keywords
spices agronomy, nursery production, ginger growth, protected cultivation
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
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