Effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth parameters and rhizomatic characters of mango ginger (Curcuma amada)

Abstract

Received : January 2001 A field experiment was conducted in 1996 97 and 1997 98 on a lateritic soil, to study the performance of mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) at 4 levels of nitrogen (No, N,,, Nlo0 and N,,,) and 3 levels of potassium (KO, K,, and K,,,). Significant differences were observed on single mother rhizome, number of secondary finger rhizome, number of tertiary fingers, total mother rhizome, root weight, weight of root tubers and weight of total fingers owing to the application of nitrogen and potassium. Mango ginger recorded maximum rhizome yield (2,295 g), mother rhizome (616 g) and weight of total fingers (148.3 g) and highest plant height (62.3 cm). The application of nitrogen and potassium alone or combinedly increased the rhizome yield. Both nitrogen and potassium may be recommended Q 100 kglha for the better production of amada rhizome.