Ginger Farming for Success

• August 21 2023, by Agriplex India
• 6 min reading time

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Introduction 

The botanical name of Ginger is Zingiber officinale. It is widely used as a spice crop. Ginger is valued for its medicinal properties and is a popular home remedy for acidity, cold, cough, etc. It is the root (rhizome) of the plant that is most useful. Recognizing Ginger is very easy as the leaves carry the pungent smell typical of Ginger. Apart from their use as a spice, young roots of Ginger are used as flavoring agents in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. 

Suitable Climate for Ginger Growing. 

Ginger is cultivated at an altitude of 1500 meters (about 4921.26 ft) above sea level in warm and humid climates. A moderate rainfall during sprouting time and a heavy, well-distributed rain at the time of growth is the most ideal situation for growing Ginger. In case of absence of showers during sprouting period, the crop must be irrigated. The soil must stay moist so that sprouting happens. However, the weather must be dry before harvesting. 

Soil Type Requirements for ginger 

Ginger can grow in all sorts of soils. Well drained sandy loam, red soil and clay-loam soils rich in humus with fairly good Potash content are best for its cultivation. The soil should be well aerated. Heavy soil should be avoided. Soils with high organic matter are preferred; Incorporate FYM (Farmyard Manure) or compost during land preparation. Ensure Soil has good internal drainage while laying out field. Over watering or stagnant water is harmful to Ginger. 

Home hobby enthusiasts would do well to make a potting mixture of equal parts of compost, perlite and peat moss or coir.  Another potting mixture may be suggested to contain 5 parts of wood chips, one part of peat moss and one part of perlite/vermiculite. 

Ginger grows best in deep and loose soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. 

Popular Varieties of Ginger 

States	Varieties
Madhya Pradesh	Ing Makhir, Nadia
Karnataka	Karakkal, Suprabha, Wayanad
Tamil Nadu	Rio-de-Jeneiro, Maran, Nadia
Andhra Pradesh	Narsipatnam, Siddipet, Tuni
Kerala	Wynad local, Ernad, Kuruppamadi, Thoduphuza

 

Companion Plants 

Ginger grows well with most plants, as it likes filtered light. Growing under fruit trees is fantastic, also grow with tomatoes, Chilies, coconut, and banana. 

Fertilization 

Fertilizer application actually depends upon the soil of the farmer. It is recommended to have the soil and water analyzed before deciding on the actual quantity of fertilizers. 

Nutrient	Fertilizers	General Dose (per acre)
Organic	FYM/ Annapurna Compost	11 – 13 ton
	Neem cake	0.8 ton
N	Urea (or)	66 kg
	Ammonium Sulphate	148 kg
P	Single Super Phosphate (SSP) (or)	126 kg
	Double Super Phosphate (DSP)	63 kg
K	Muriate of Potash (MOP) (or)	34 kg
	Sulphate of Potash	40 kg
Zn    (For Zinc deficient soil)	Zinc Micronutrient	Foliar spray: 0.5 – 1 gm/l   Soil application: 10 kg

 

Mulching and Weed control 

Apply mulching layers immediately after planting with tree leaves, purali, sugarcane trash or whatever available with the farmer. This may be up to about 5 cm height. Weeding operation may be done after about 30 days when mulch should be removed first.  Apply Mulch after weeding and application of fertilizes. Repeat operations at each fertilizer application. 

Pests and Diseases Control   

Some information on insects, pests and diseases of Ginger is discussed below. The control measures depend upon the type and intensity of the problems and also whether organic or inorganic pesticides are to be used as decided by the Farmer. For more information on pests and diseases please go through my blog on same. 

• Shoot and Fruit Borer: Spray Lambdacyhalothrin/Fluxametamide, An Isoxazoline Compound/Chloropyrofos. Spread Phorate. 
• Rhizome scale: Dip rhizomes in Quinalphos 0.1% both prior to storage and sowing. 
• Scale insects: Spraying of Parathion (0.03%) emulsion, Dimethoate 150 ml and 250 ml kerosene oil in 100 liters of water or Malathion@ 0.1 % or Carbonyl @ 0.05% plus oil 1%. 
• Rhizome rot: Precaution: Dip in M-45 solution both before storage and before sowing. After attack: drench with M-45 solution. 
• Fungal diseases, brown powder on leaves. Remove such leaves. Spray one teaspoon of Neem Oil into approximately 10 liters of water. 
• Leaf blight makes leaves turn yellow. Therefore, even though the vigor of the plant may not be much affected, the plant's look becomes ungainly. Remove such leaves. 
• Gummosis: Scraping off the affected area and application of Bordeaux mixture or Copper Oxyfluoride. 
• Anthracnose: Dried twigs are pruned off first. This to be followed by two sprays of Carbendazim @1 grams/liter or copper oxychloride – 3 grams/liter fortnightly. Spray of Zineb or Mancozeb may be regularly done weekly. 

Suggested Products for Ginger Crop Cultivation 

Harvesting 

Ginger crops are generally 6 – 8 months.  6 months for vegetables and 8 months for dry Ginger. The exact time period will also depend on the variety chosen when sowing. Plants are ready for harvesting when the leaves of Ginger turn yellowish and dry. Gather by hand picking the clumps. Clean from mud and other materials. 

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Agriculture Blogs Gallery Farming Ginger Crop Nutrients Plant Growth Regulators Soil Testing

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