Nutrient Requirements and Fertilization Techniques for Ginger

1. Role of Key Nutrients

When nitrogen is sufficiently supplied, ginger plants show thick leaves, deep green color, vigorous growth, high photosynthetic production, and high yield. A lack of nitrogen results in short plants, thin leaves, yellowing, weak growth, fewer branches, and low yield.

When phosphorus is adequately supplied, it promotes the early-stage growth of ginger roots and rhizomes, facilitating the transport and distribution of photosynthetic products from the stem and leaves to the rhizomes, ultimately increasing the yield. Phosphorus deficiency results in dark green leaves, stunted plants, poorly developed rhizomes, and low yield.

When potassium is sufficient, ginger plants have thick leaves, strong stems, more branches, enhanced disease resistance, and increased yield and quality. A lack of potassium not only affects plant growth and rhizome development, reducing yield, but also increases the fiber content in ginger rhizomes, reducing the levels of essential oils, vitamin C, and sugars, thereby lowering the quality of the ginger.

Micronutrients such as boron and zinc also play significant roles in the growth and yield of ginger. Studies show that adding boron and zinc to the soil promotes taller plants, larger leaf areas, more branches, and results in larger, rounder ginger rhizomes with bright, glossy skin and better quality.

2. Fertilization Characteristics

According to measurements, for every 1,000 kilograms of fresh ginger produced, about 6.3 kg of nitrogen, 1.3 kg of phosphorus, and 11.2 kg of potassium are absorbed. The nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio is 5:1:8. During the seedling stage, plant growth is slow, and the plant absorbs relatively low amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, after the three-branch stage, plant growth accelerates, the number of branches increases, leaf area expands rapidly, and rhizome growth is vigorous, so nutrient requirements rise significantly.

3. Fertilization Techniques

1. Apply Adequate Base Fertilizer

Combine deep plowing and land preparation. Apply 3-4 cubic meters of high-quality, well-rotted chicken manure or 4,000-5,000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure per acre. Also, apply 50 kg of sulfur-based compound fertilizer, 1-2 kg of zinc sulfate, and 1 kg of borax.

2. Proper Topdressing

① Light Fertilization for Strong Seedlings: In mid to late June, when the seedlings develop 1-2 branches, apply the second fertilizer combined with irrigation. Apply high-nitrogen compound fertilizer at a rate of 15-20 kg per acre, with a 10-15 day interval between applications.

② Heavy Fertilization During Jointing: Known as turning-point fertilization (around the beginning of August), at the three-branch stage, ginger enters its vigorous growing period. This is a key period for topdressing, applying 70-80 kg of high-nitrogen compound fertilizer per acre.

③ Supplemental Fertilization During Tuber Expansion: During the tuber enlargement stage, in mid-September, when the plant develops 6-8 branches, apply high-nitrogen potassium compound fertilizer at about 50 kg per acre, divided into two applications with an interval of approximately 15 days.