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PRODUCTIVITY OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) BY AMENDMENT OF VERMICOMPOST AND BIOGAS SLURRY IN SALINE SOILS

RAFIQ AHMAD, MOHAMMAD AZEEM^* AND NAEEM AHMED

Abstract: Ginger is a crop of economical importance. Though its productivity is generally reduced under saline conditions, it could still be improved by various physiological treatments which offset toxicity of excessive sodium of rooting medium. Amendments of Vermicompost and Biogas slurry have shown some reduction of Sodium induced inhibitory effects. Analyses of leaves chlorophyll, carbohydrate, protein etc., have been undertaken with reference to various above-mentioned treatments. Vermicompost amendments improved net yield, fresh and dry biomass of shoot and rhizome yield of plants. Their chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents were increased under Vermicompost amendment both in the saline and non-saline conditions. Keeping in mind economical feasibility, one can still obtain permissible economic returns by this method from moderately saline soil, which was so far considered not suitable for ginger production.

Biosaline Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270. Pakistan.