Effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth parameters and rhizomatic characters of mango-ginger (Curcuma amada)

A field experiment was conducted in 1996–97 and 1997–98 on a lateritic soil, to study the performance of mango-ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) at 4 levels of nitrogen (N₀, N₅₀, N₁₀₀ and N₁₅₀) and 3 levels of potassium (K₀, K₅₀ and K₁₀₀). Significant differences were observed on single mother rhizome, number of secondary finger rhizome, number of tertiary fingers, total mother rhizome, root weight, weight of root tubers and weight of total fingers owing to the application of nitrogen and potassium. Mango-ginger recorded maximum rhizome yield (2,295 g), mother rhizome (616 g) and weight of total fingers (148.3 g) and highest plant height (62.3 cm). The application of nitrogen and potassium alone or combinedly increased the rhizome yield. Both nitrogen and potassium may be recommended @ 100 kg/ha for the better production of amada rhizome.