**2. The significance of the nutrients in ginger**

The availability of nutrients, which is controlled by their distribution and rates of cycling in the soil, has an impact on crop primary production. Nutrient components play key roles in the physiological activities of plants. The two key nutrients that are most deficient in Indian soils are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Deficits in potassium (K) and sulphur (S) can arise in particular regions and soil types. Acidic soils lack calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), which must be supplemented for excellent agricultural yields. Micronutrient deficiencies of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (b), molybdenum (Mo), and sulphur (S) have been discovered to be widespread in Indian soils [30]. In order to sustain soil fertility, it is crucial to replenish the minerals and sequester organic C. The information in this chapter covers a wide range of topics related to managing nutrients for ginger crops. It should be noted that managing nutrients based on soil testing is an effective management tool that should be used to make fertiliser recommendations and maintaining soil quality based on site-specific nutrient management techniques should be one of our top priorities.

Nutrient management is essential in achieving the best growth and productivity in ginger, in addition to soil type. Because it is a crop that exhausts nutrients, it needs a sufficient supply during key growth periods [31]. Chemical fertilisation (also known as "chemical nutrient management" or "CNM"), organic manuring (also known as "organic nutrient management" or "ONM"), or a combination of both (also known as "integrated nutrient management" or "INM") are all alternatives for managing the crop's nutrients [32].

However, reports indicate that depending on the crop variety, soil type, and geographic region, different amounts of nutrients may be needed, whether through organic or chemical methods. The recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) should ideally be applied in splits to satisfy the crop's requirement at different phases of growth, and a good nutrient management plan can significantly reduce the discrepancy between prospective yield and actual output. The usage of chemical fertilisers can be reduced as a result, protecting the environment's quality [33–37].
