Harnessing microbial fertilizers for sustainable ginger cultivation

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), a medicinal and economic crop, holds immense significance due to its bioactive compounds and culinary applications. Sustainable cultivation practices are critical for addressing challenges such as soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and the adverse effects of chemical inputs. This review explores the role of microbial fertilizers in promoting ginger cultivation, emphasizing their contribution to soil fertility, microbial diversity, and plant resilience against diseases. Beneficial microorganisms enhance nutrient availability, produce phytohormones, and exhibit biocontrol properties, reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers. Microbial inoculants enhance plant growth through direct mechanisms such as producing phytohormones, fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, and secreting siderophores that chelate iron, making it more available to plants. Indirectly, microbes suppress plant pathogens by producing antibiotics, competing for nutrients and niches, inducing systemic resistance in plants, and generating hydrolytic enzymes that degrade pathogen cell walls. Modern practices, such as hydroponics, which are integrated with microbial agents, further optimize ginger production by minimizing environmental risks and improving yield quality. The findings underscore the potential of microbial fertilizers as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional agrochemicals, paving the way for sustainable ginger farming and long-term agricultural viability.