Mango ginger’s scientific name is Curcuma amada. It belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae. It grows up to 2feet. The rhizomes are of mild yellow colour. Mango ginger will be ready for harvest after 6 months of germination.
They grow well in fertilized wetlands. Sunlight is a must for their growth. They grow well in partially shaded areas too. They can be commercially cultivated in coconut palm groves. Healthy rhizome or seed can be used for planting. The area planned for cultivation must be dug deep before the monsoons. Make a bed, 1 m long and 25cms in height, depending upon the space availability. Apply 15kgs of organic fertilizer (cow dung powder, chicken or goat manure, compost) in one cent of land. If inorganic farming method is followed, add along with organic fertilizers, 650gms of super phosphate, and 200gms of potash. Apply 40gms of urea after a month of planting. After 2 months, add 20gms of urea and 200 gms of potash. Mulching must be done at the time of planting.If it dries up, do it again after applying fertilizers. After every application, add more sands too.
Bacterial and fungal infection don’t affect mango ginger much. When cultivated extensively, pseudostem weevil may attack the plants. Wilting stem is the sign of pseudostem weevil attack. The plant infected by this must be uprooted and burnt. If many plants are under its attack, spray 1 ml of quinalphos diluted in 1 litre of water. If it’s organic farming, spray any good organic pesticide.
Mango ginger will be ready for harvest in 6 months. Like ginger, the stem slowly wilts. Using a spade, the rhizomes can be dug up carefully without cutting into them. Up to 40 kgs of mango ginger can be harvested from 1 cent of land.
It is used in the production of sauce, sweets, salads and pickles. It is also used to make Ayurvedic medicines. It is a main ingredient for making many different potions.
In Kerala, it is mainly used for making pickles and curries. They can be grown in all households, either in uncultivated land, or grow bags or sacks easily.
