Effect of organic mulching on root-knot nematode population, rhizome rot incidence and yield of ginger.
Das N.
Author Affiliation: High Altitude Research Station (O.U.A.T.), Pattangi, Koraput, India.
Annals of Plant Protection Sciences 7 : 112-114
Abstract : Field experiments were conducted in Orissa, India, to determine the effects of mulching on the nematode population (Meloidogyne incognita), rhizome rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Suprabha). The mulching treatments included green leaves of mahaneem (Melia azadirachta [Azadirachta indica]), karanj (Pongamia glabra [P. pinnata]), acacia (Acacia arabica [A. nilotica]), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) and mango (Mangifera indica) at 2.5 kg/mē or paddy straw and paddy husk at 2 kg/mē. A significant positive response of mulching, irrespective of the type of mulch material, was observed on the germination percentage, tiller numbers and the final rhizome yield over the non-mulched control. The highest germination percentage and maximum tiller numbers per individual clump were observed with paddy straw mulching but these plots had a lower rhizome yield and greater number of root galls than the plots treated with mango, karanj and mahaneem leaves, indicating the possible nematicidal properties of these leaves. Plots mulched with mahaneem leaves had final soil nematode populations below the initial level and were completely free from rhizome rot.