1. Zingiber officinale L. Ginger is an important spice of the world.
It originated in India and Dry ginger is also used for the production of oil, oleoresin, essence, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages.
Ginger has high medicinal value
It is cultivated in almost all the states but Kerela, Meghalaya, Orrisa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are the major growing states.
India is the major producer and exporter of ginger
Ginger is cultivated in an 165’000Ha area in India and
production is 1081’000MT

2. Name Suitable varieties Source Varieties Green ginger
Chine, Rio-De- Janerio and Wynad Local
Dry ginger
Nadia, Maran, Wynad, Karakkal, Wynad manantody, Vallu-vanad and Kuruppam Padi
Volatile oil
Ernad, Chemad, naraspattam and Himachal Pradesh
Oleoresin content
Kuruppam Padi, Rio-De-Janerio, China, Ernad and Chemad
IISR Rejatha, IISR Mahima, IISR Varada
Source
Rio- De-Janerio
Introduction from Brazil
China
Introduction from China
Suruchi, Suprabha, Surabhi( Mutant)
High Altitude Research Station, Potangi(Orrisa)
UHF, Nauni, Solan
Himgiri
IISR, Kerela

3. Soil and Field Preparation Manures and Fertilizers
Climate
For better growth and development ginger requires warm climate along with high humidity
Low to moderate rainfall during rhizome sprout and moderate to heavy rainfall during crop growth followed by dry weather one month before harvesting coupled with 28-35°C is required for proper growth and development
Soil and Field Preparation
Well drained fertile sandy loam to loam soils though can be raised in all type of soils
Soil should be brought to fine tilth by one deep ploughing followed by 2-3 light ploughings followed by planking
Optimal bed size of 3m ×1m × 15cm (the length and breadth of beds may be increased or decreased as per the convenience)
Manures and Fertilizers
q/ha
Basal dose( N:P:K)kg/ha : : 50-75: Apply half N at planting and remaining half in two to three splits at 30, 45 and 80 days after planting as top dressing.

4. Sowing Time
April – May (depends up on pre monsoon showers) Under irrigated conditions sowing can be done from 15th Feb- 15Th March
Sowing Method
Seed should be healthy
Seed rhizomes of 3-5cm in length, 20-25g in weight with 2-3 bud eyes are considered to be the best.
Seed Dithane M-45 or 0.25% for 30 minutes
Spacing × 15-20cm. Rhizomes are sown 5.0cm deep.
Seed Rate
15-20q/ha
Irrigation
First: light irrigation immediately after sowing
Subsequently days interval depending upon moisture condition of the soil
Proper drainage should be ensured during rainy season

5. Mulching It enhances organic matter, improves the physical properties of soil and prevents erosion Also conserves soil moisture and prevents weed growth Green leaves are the best mulching material First mulching should be done immediately after transplanting green leaves/ha)and second and third 50q green leaves/ha) at 40 and 90 days after planting, Weeding and Earthing up Hand weeding is common in ginger First at 30 days after transplanting and subsequently at DAP Earthing up of ridges up to 30cm should be done after second and third weeding Harvesting Green ginger is harvested 180 DAP and dry ginger after DAP when leaves turn yellow and start drying Delay in harvesting increases the fiber content and reduces the volatile oil content After harvesting rhizomes are thoroughly washed to remove soil and dirt and dried in sun for one day

6. Preservation of seed rhizomes
Yield : q/ha
Preservation of seed rhizomes
Ginger is vegetatively propagated crop through rhizomes
At the time of harvesting the healthy, disease and insect free seed rhizomes are selected for seed purpose. Seed ginger has to be stored for about 3 to 4 months from the time of harvesting to planting.
Pre storage seed treatment with 0.1% Quinalphos % Dithane M-45 solution is done for 30 minutes and then dried in shade before storage in pits
Ginger is stored in pits. Area selected for pits should be on elevation where run-off water does not accumulate.
The walls of pit may be plastered with cow dung along with loamy soil.
The pits should be dug 1 meter deep and a layer of sand or saw dust is put at the bottom of the pit before storage.
In pits rhizomes are stored in layers, each layer followed by the layer of dry sand or saw dust leaving sufficient space at the top of pits to facilitate proper aeration.
The pit is covered with a wooden plank leaving some space between the seeds and planks and is plastered with mud.
A small hole is made in the plank through which a hollow bamboo is inserted to provide aeration for the rhizomes.

7. Preparation of Dry Ginger (Curing)
After harvesting rhizomes are cleaned and soaked in water for 12hrs.
After soaking for 12hrs rhizomes are rubbed thoroughly and skin is removed
Then the rhizomes are sun dried for 6-8days
Dried rhizomes are rubbed to ensure that rhizomes are free of any inert material
Then the rhizomes re-dipped in 2% lime water for 6hrs followed by drying to obtain good appearance and is called bleached ginger.
The yield of cured ginger is 15-25% of fresh weight.
After drying ginger is graded into two grades
Fibrous or Calicut grade
Non fibrous/ free from fibers or Cochin grade
Cochin grade is in high demand in the international market

8. Plant Protection Measures
Diseases
Soft rot/ rhizome rot
Pythium aphanidermatum & P myriotylum
Use healthy and disease free seed
Ensure proper drainage
Soil drenching with 0.1% Ceresan or Captan
Seed treatment with 0.25% Dithane M-45 and 0.1% bavistin for 60min before storage and sowing
Yellows
Fusarium solani & oxysporum f. sp. Zingiberi
Same as for soft rot
Leaf spot
Phyllosticta zingiberi
Bacterial wilt
Ralstonia solanacearum
Follow crop rotation
Treat rhizomes with 2000ppm for 30min

9. Insects
Shoot borer
Conogethes punctiferalis
Spray
Leaf roller
Udaspes folus
Spray 0.1% Carbaryl
Thrips
Thrips tabaci
Nematodes
Meloidogyne incognita
Nemagon
Rhizome scale
Aspiodiotus hartii