Application of Organic Soil Amendments in Controlling Rhizome Rot of Ginger

Aims: To determine the effect of organic soil amendments on rhizome rot of ginger.

Study Design: The study was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Plant Pathology Research Field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh during 2016-2017.

Methodology: Soil were amended with mustard seed cake (2 t/ha), neem seed cake (2 t/ha), sawdust (2 t/ha), vermicompost (4 t/ha), poultry litter (4 t/ha), cow dung (2 t/ha) with one control (without amendment). The total number of unit plots was 21 and the size of the unit plot was 13 m × 7 m.

Results: Soil amended plots showed better results by reducing the disease severity and many rhizome rot infected plants. Among the treatment; mustard seed cake exhibited least disease severity (14.76%) of rhizome and maximum yield (5.76 t/ha) of ginger as compared to control plot (65.56% disease severity and 0.82 t/ha rhizome).

Conclusion: Mustard seed cake may be recommended for better performance in controlling of rhizome rot disease of ginger.