ABSTRACT
A study was carried out in 2023/2024 at the screen house of the Department Of Crop
Science, Faculty Of Agriculture, University Of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City
to evaluate the effect of topsoil admixed with cattle dung potting media on the dry
matter production of ginger (Zinginber Rosc.) . The trial involved five potting media
( topsoil (TS), cattle dung (CD), TS+ CD 1:1, TS+ CD 1:2 And TS+ CD 2:1 ) laid
out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Data were
collected on the physical and chemical properties of all potting media, and dry
matter indices (total dry weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight) were taken at
16 weeks after planting (WAP). Results showed variation in the physical and
chemical properties among the potting media. Total dry weights, shoot and root dry
weight also showed differences among potting media with TS and TS+CD 2:1
having the highest dry shoot weight (2.69g) and TS+CD 2:1 having the highest total
dry weight (3.49g) Total dry weight was positively correlated with the growth
variables such as plant height (0.67), stem girth(0.67), and the number of leaves
(0.68). For dry matter production and improved ginger growth TS+CD 2:1 potting
media is suggested for urban and peri-urban ginger grow out.
