Ginger cultivation through application of phosphatic fungal biofertilizer technology

Prof N Irabanta Singh / Dr Supriya Maimom *

Introduction

The ginger production in NE India is highest in Meghalaya followed by Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a tremendous scope to increase the yield per unit area and thereby the total production of ginger in NE India is consider low because of the average yield is 5.8 t/h. In the context of Manipur, the area under ginger cultivation is 2140 h with annual production is 3530 tonnes and productivity is 1.65 t/h which is very low.

In the recent past, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms have attracted the attention of agriculturists as soil inocula to improve the plant growth and yield. The microorganisms actively participate in soil phosphate cycle and increased the bioavailability of soil phosphate for the plants growth.

Steps for ginger cultivation

It includes-
I. Crop rotation – To cultivate field with non-rhizomatuos and non-tuberous and maize crop
II. Mother rhizome/seed – Selection of seed, seed size, and seed treatment with phosphate solubilizing microorganisms
III. Cultivation practices – Preparation of well drained bed, planting technique, mulching and earthing up after two months
IV. Management of insect pest – Required for the phosphatic fungal biofertilizer technology

Methodology

The phosphate solubilizing fungal isolates were distributed to the farmers in the form of broth culture. All the selected farmers were ginger cultivators. Field application of the fungal biofertilizers were also demonstrated to the farmers of the Churachandpur district, Manipur.

Result and Discussion

The farmers became aware of the application of biofertilizers for ginger and its impact on the environment. The farmer reported about the increase in the ginger yield after the soil was treated with phosphatic biofertilizer.

The phosphorous solubilizing fungi may play an important role in mitigating the phosphorous requirement of the crops by using cheaper but scantly soluble phosphorous fertilizers. Beneficial influence of artificial inoculation with phosphate solubilizing fungi and rock phosphate has been observed for different varieties of ginger under diverse agro-climatic conditions.

The effective phosphate solubizing microorganisms can be exploited and used as potential phosphatic biofertilizers for the cultivation and growth of the ginger plant whose rhizomes are nutritive and also contain therapeutic properties. Apart from phosphate solubilization, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms enhances simultaneous synthesis and release of pathogen suppressing metabolites like phytohormones, lytic enzymes, etc.

The advantages of using fungi as bio-inoculant include their tolerance to high concentrations of potential toxic metals, and better acid and alkali tolerance than bacteria although fungi might be inferior to bacteria in their ability to colonize plant root. Overall, fungi may have much better potential to serve as an agent to convert insoluble inorganic phosphate into a soluble form.

Conclusion

The phosphate solubilizing fungi and its application as biofertilizer for the cultivation of ginger plants need more advertisement for sustainable ginger production in NE India.