Absorption and distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in ginger

The absorption and distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and growth characteristics of high-yield ginger were studied in this experiment. The results show that ginger plant grows slowly and accumulation of dry matter is low at the seedling stage. Although duration of the seedling stage accounts for 52.6% of the whole growth period, the absorption of N, P2O5 and K2O accounts for about 24%. At the stems and leaves vigorous growth stage, plants begin to grow fast, the absorption rates of N, P2O5 and K2O reach 3.5, 1.3 and 4.9 kg/(ha·d), respectively, and the absorption accounts for about 30% of the whole growth period. At the rhizome-expanding stage, the absorption rate of N decreases slightly, while that of P2O5 and K2O still reaches as high as 1.3 and 5.1 kg/(ha·d), and the absorption of N, P2O5 and K2O accounts for 44.0%, 45.5% and 47.1% of the whole period, respectively. With the growth of ginger plant, the distribution rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the stems and leaves show a decreased trend, but gradually increase in rhizomes. At the rhizome expanding stage, the distribution rates of N, P2O5 and K2O in rhizomes are 50.0%, 61.0% and 46.5%, respectively. At the whole growth period, the absorption ratio of N, P2O5 and K2O is 2.5∶1.0∶3.8 and the demand of N, P2O5 and K2O for every 1000 kg rhizome product are about 4.67, 1.90 and 7.25 kg, respectively.