Growth and Yield of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) as Influenced by NPK Fertilizer and Moringa Leaves Extracts in a Tropical Ultisol of Nigeria Rainforest

Abstract

The demand for Ginger is increasing as an important crop in Nigeria. Most farmers in the tropics apply inorganic and organic fertilizers without considering the optimum level that will minimize production cost, maximize yield and profit, reduce fertilizer waste and soil toxicity. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Cross River University of Technology, Obubra during 2017 and 2018 cropping seasonsto investigate the growth and yield response of Ginger to NPK fertilizer and Moringa leaves extracts (MLE). Treatments consisted of four rates of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer; (0, 50, 100 and 150) kg ha^-1 and three rates of MLE; (5,10 and 15) lit. ha^-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Parameters observed include; plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of primary and secondary rhizomes dry matter yield and rhizome yield. Results obtained showed that application of NPK (15:15:15) at the rate of 150 kg ha^-1 produced tallest plants, highest number of rhizomes and highest rhizome yield while MLE applied at the rate of 15 lit ha-1 produced maximum growth and yield of ginger.