(388) Media Type and Moisture Influence Growth and Development of Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) Propagules

Abstract

Ginger(Zingiber officinalis) is a spice crop with a variety of medicinal uses. Potentially, it may be suitable for ethnic production following necessary studies to determine optimum cultural conditions. The propagation of ginger from rhizomes was investigated using three growth media, three media moisture levels, and two types of propagules. The media were poultry compost amended with peat and perlite in a volume ratio of 2:1:1, municipal yard waste compost, and the commercial mix Promix. The moisture levels of each medium were: no applied water, moderately watered (between wilting point and field capacity), and field capacity, which represented moisture tension levels of >–1.5, –0.08, and –0.03 MPa, respectively. Growth from single-node rhizome propagules and large pieces of 5.6 to 7.6 cm long with one or more nodes was determined over 90 days. The large propagules and the field capacity moisture regime produced the tallest shoots, and largest number of shoots and leaves per propagule, as well as the highest percentages of secondary rhizomes, root, and shoots per propagule. The yard waste and Promix were superior to poultry compost in the development of the propagules for all the traits measured. The large propagules produced earlier shoot emergence at field capacity than at the moderate moisture levels. Single-node propagules generally failed to emerge without applied moisture or when in poultry compost.