The Effect Inorganic Fertilizers (N, P, K) and Lemongrass as a Potential Waste Organic Materials on the Growth and Production of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.).

Abstract

Exports of ginger from Indonesia in the last three years has declined because the quality of the ginger can not meet world market competitiveness. Suboptim cultivation techniques become a constraint in the development of the ginger plant coupled with the excessive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers that causes low soil capacity. The development of environmentally friendly technology to reduce the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers is expected to address the development problems of the ginger plant. Cultivation systems based on the utilization of in-situ organic materials such as waste of lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus) is widely available in the surrounding area of the ginger plant need attention so that the empowerment of local input and medicinal needs can be realize. The research aims to determine the effect of some several of organic materials and inorganic fertilizers (N, P, K) on the growth and production of young ginger, and weed growth. The research conducted at Bogor Agricultural University, Experimental Station, Cikabayan, Darmaga, Bogor, started September 2011 to April 2012 and used a split-plot design. The main plot consisted of organic materials consisting of granules (20 ton / ha), Cymbopogon citratus compost buried in soil (20 t / ha), Cymbopogon citratus compost mulch (20 t / ha) and without organic fertilizer as controls. Sub plot are inorganic fertilizer consisted of ½ doses (N, P, K), 1 doses (N, P, K), 2 doses (N, P, K) and without inorganic fertilizer. Organic materials and inorganic fertilizer did not significantly affect the growth component of ginger. Plants treated with ½ doses of inorganic fertilizer showed the highest dry weight of rhizomes and significantly different with 2 doses and plant resistance to disease is 54,98%. Combined treatment of lemongrass compost buried in soil and inorganic fertilizer showed the higest dry weight of total weeds, but combined treatment of lemongrass compost mulch and inorganic fertilizer showed the lowest dry weight of total weeds. Lemongrass can be used as the source of organic fertilizer and herbicid, depending on the method used and treatment.