A Comparative Analysis of Ginger Cultivation Methods in Kurmin-Jatau, District of Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Flatbed, Mound or Raised and Ridges tillage practices to identify the best with relatively higher yield of ginger but with minimum soil erosion problems.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Kurmin-Jatau, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria for a period of ten months.

Study Design: The experimental design took three forms; slope measurement to attain the desired slope on the farms, obtaining data on eroded materials, and generating data on plant growth/features.

Methodology: The three tillage methods (Flatbed, Mound, and Raised) were prepared to determine yield and erosion problems. Data on the study were obtained from direct measurement on the experimental farms, interview and questionnaire methods, as well as related literature.

Results: The Flatbed tillage method encouraged growth of almost all the plant attributes, most especially the number of tillers which is the major determinant of ginger yield, followed by Ridges and the least was in Mounds tillage method. Statistical analysis of the data generated on this showed a significant relationship between the variables (Fc=8.84>Ft=3.89;; fd=12 and 2). There was also appreciable difference in run-off and eroded soil particles, with the highest value recorded in the Mounds tillage practice followed by the Ridges and then the Flatbed tillage practice. Using analysis of variance, a significant relationship was established between the three tillage methods and the quantity of soil materials carried by run-off (Fc=7.58> Ft=3.55; =0.05; df1=2 and df2=18). Increased rhizome yield of ginger crop and amount of soil eroded particles was recorded on Flatbed tillage system as compared with Mounds and Ridges.

Conclusion: Flatbed method of cultivating ginger crop has been shown to still be promising, but farmers should increase their knowledge on soil erosion management and use of other farming inputs and technologies.