Evaluation of ginger cultivars for shade tolerance

Abstract

A study entitled 'Screening of ginger cultivars for shade tolerance' was conducted during May 1990 to February 1991 at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Two separate trials were carried out, one under artificial shade and the other under natural shade in coconut gardens. The trial under artificial shade was intended to assess the performance of ginger cultivars under different levels of shade, while that under natural shade was taken up to test the fitness of these cultivars under intercropped situation in coconut garden. Trial under artificial shade was laid out in split plot design with four shade levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent shade) as main plot treatments and six cultivars (Maran, Kuruppampadi, Himachal, Rio-de-jeneiro, Nudumangad and Amballore local) as subplot treatments with four replications. The trial under natural shade was laid out in randomised block design with five cultivars (Maran, Kuruppampadi, Himachal, Nedumangad and Amballore local) and four replications. For providing shade under artificial shade trial, pandals were erected on wooden frames and covered with unplaited coconut fronds to provide required levels of shade. LI-90 A Quantum sensor and LI-191 SA Line Quantum sensor were used for adjusting the shade intensities to the desired levels. As the overall performance of the crop was better under shade than in the open, ginger may be classified as a shade loving crop. Rhizome yields at 25, 50 and 75 per cent shade levels were comparable and significantly higher than that under direct sun with 25 per cent shade recording the highest value. Yield parameters such as harvest index and total- dry weight were also highest at 25 per cent shade. Significant interaction was noticed between shade levels and ginger cultivars on rhizome yield. Himachal was found to- be adapated to all situations. Quality of ginger rhizomes was found to be improved when grown under shade. Nutrient uptake was also higher under shaded situation. Based on the rhizome yield the cultivars adapted to each of the shade levels are as follows. 0 per cent shade - Kuruppampadi, Himachal 25 per cent shade- Nedumangad, Himachal, Maran, Kuruppampadi 50 per cent shade - Himachal, Kuruppampadi, Maran, Nedumangad and Amballore local 75 per cent shade - Himachal, Kuruppampadi The logarithmic model, log y = a+b(log x)+c(log x ) 2+d 3 (log x) was found to be a good fit for all the cultivars except Amballore local, for which the yield prediction could be well effected using the quadratic model (y = a+bx+cx2) . All the cultivars tested under natural shade, revealed no significant difference with respect to rhizome yield and most of the growth and yield attributes. Among the cultivars, Amballore local fared comparitively better under natural shade, where the percentage illumination was about 50 per cent. However, the performance of all the cultivars was poor in terms of rhizome yield under natural shade in coconut garden.