Rhizome Fresh Weight Research Articles

Moderate Drought Stress Interferes with the Physiological State and Promotes the Accumulation of Isoflavone in Reproductive Iris domestica Rhizomes

Drought stress is one of the main factors affecting the growth and secondary metabolism of plants. Iris domestica, rich in isoflavones, is a common herbal medicine in China. In this study, the effects of drought stress and rehydration on resistance physiological characteristics and the secondary metabolism of two-year-old I. domestica during the vegetative and reproductive growth period were investigated. The results showed that the dry weight and fresh weight of rhizomes and roots under severe drought stress were significantly decreased, while those under moderate drought stress were not significantly changed. Meanwhile, the SOD activities, POD activities, MDA content and Pro content increased to resist drought at D1 and D2. In the vegetative growth period, the changes in isoflavone concentration and the expression levels of genes in isoflavone synthesis were more dramatic. Isoflavone accumulation was promoted, to some extent, in the reproductive growth period under the D1 drought treatment. In the actual production process, different measures, namely short-term stress regulation in the vegetative growth period and moderate drought stress (13.44% < soil water content ≤ 16.8%) in the reproductive growth period, need to be adopted to regulate isoflavone biosynthesis.

In Vitro Microrhizome Production, Genetic Homogeneity Assessment, and Field Performance Evaluation in Ginger

In vitro-induced microrhizomes are promising for producing disease-free planting materials in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), spice and medicinal crops threatened by several soil-borne diseases. The study examined microrhizome induction, genetic homogeneity, and field performance in ginger. The condition combination of 3.0 mg·L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 100 g·L−1 sucrose, and a 12-h photoperiod (the optimal conditions) produced the largest number of microrhizomes among all treatments but resulted in a lower average fresh weight during the 60-day culture period. Larger microrhizomes exhibited greater tolerance to water loss and a higher percentage of sprouting. Therefore, additional efforts were made to increase the size of the microrhizomes. Under the optimal conditions, the fresh weight increased significantly to 280.3 mg and 403.4 mg after 30 days of additional culture and in vitro culture of small-sized microrhizomes, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis and SSR characterization confirmed the genetic homogeneity of the regenerated plants with microrhizomes (MR) and those obtained by directly sowing sprouted microrhizomes into the substrate without acclimatization (FMR). At harvest, the MR had the most robust growth, a significantly higher fresh rhizome weight (206.1 g per plant) than the FMR (121.8 g per plant) and conventional tissue-cultured plants (TC), and similar rhizome finger size (11.5 g and 10.2 cm2) to the FMR. These findings suggest that both the MR and the FMR have advantages over the TC in producing seedling rhizomes of ginger in the first growing season. The established approach may be useful for large-scale production of disease-free ginger rhizomes.

The THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF RED GINGER (Zingiber officinale Rosc)

· Introduction: Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is a spice plant that is used as a drink and a mixture of food ingredients. The spicy taste of ginger when drunk gives a sensation as a reliever. Ginger rhizome is also efficacious as a medicine for several diseases such as: arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscle aches, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat, diarrhea, colic, cramps, indigestion, loss of appetite, motion sickness, fever, flu, elimination, and infectious diseases.
 
 Materials and Methods: This research was carried out in Selayang Village, Finish District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, from September 2022 to completion in February 2023.
 Results: The results showed that the M1 treatment had significant results from almost all observation parameters, namely plant height, number of leaves and fresh weight of rhizomes had a significant effect, except for the parameter of the number of tillers. showed that the highest vegetative growth of red ginger was in treatment M1 (top soil and cow manure) resulting in the highest plant height compared to other treatments.
 
 Keywords: Red Ginger, Manure for Cows, Goats, Chickens, NPK.

Performance of Valeriana jatamansi in Hill Zone of West Bengal Concerning Manure Sources

The organic source of nutrients would be a promising practice for Valeriana jatamansi cultivation which maintains its curative value. A set of experiments was conducted at Hill Zone of West Bengal, Kalimpong for two consecutive cycles to standardize organic nutrient management in V. jatamansi for optimum growth and economic yield. Different organic sources of nutrients such as farm yard manure (FYM), bio-fertilizer (BF), and vermicompost (VC) were applied at various doses along with a recommended dose. We applied the treatments as follows: T1= FYM (5 t.ha-1), T2= VC (2 t.ha-1), T3= FYM (5 t.ha-1) + VC (2 t ha-1), T4= FYM (5 t.ha-1) + PSB, T5= VC (2 t.ha-1) + PSB, T6= FYM (5 t.ha-1) + VC (2 t.ha-1) + PSB, T7= Control, T8= RDF through inorganic fertilizers (50:25:25 kg.ha-1 as N, P2O5, and K2O). The use of organic manures and PSB significantly (P<0.05) increased the rhizome yield and soil-available macronutrients in V. jatamansi due to the release of nutrients from the decomposition of organic manures. The addition of T6 resulted in a maximum canopy height (18.28 cm), plant fresh biomass (16.42 t.ha-1), dry biomass (3.19 t.ha-1), rhizome fresh weight (3.16 t.ha-1), and dry weight (1.16 t.ha-1), as well as highest organic carbon content (0.75%), nitrogen (221 kg.ha-1), phosphorus (46.70 kg.ha-1), and potassium (201 kg.ha-1). Applying FYM, vermicompost, and PSB combination would be a promising strategy for growing V. jatamansi.

Response of different substrates and irrigation water levels on yield and oil quality of ginger grown in greenhouse

Growing media and irrigation water level are the most important factors affecting plant yield and quality throughout the world. The present research was conducted in greenhouse located in Batı Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute between 2019 and 2020 growing season to determine the effects of different substrates and irrigation levels on yield and phenolic and essential oil compounds of ginger (Zingiber officinale). In this research, in order to investigate the effects of different substrates and irrigation levels on physiological characteristics and yield of ginger, an experiment was conducted as factorial, in which the main factor was three substrates (S1: 75% cocopeat + 25% perlite, S2: 50% peat + 50% perlite, and S3: 25% zeolite + 75% peat) and the sub factor was four irrigation levels, I1:100% I2: 75%, I3: 50%, and I4:25% were applied experimental plots according to the daily solar radiation values reaching the greenhouse, with 3 replications. Evapotranspiration values ranged between 49.7-198.7 L plant-1 and 51.7-206.9 L plant-1 in 2019 and 2021 years, respectively. Rhizome fresh weight values for S1, S2, S3 and S4 were determined as134.8, 94.7, 71.2 and 31.1 g in 2019 and 164.5, 148.1, 95.1 and 74.9 g in 2020, respectively. Water deficit stress significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, α-zingiberene, α-farnesene, and geranly-acetate contents while it decreased β-sesquiphellandrene and β-bisabolene content. It is concluded that essential oil yield of ginger decreased depending on the increasing irrigation water stress levels.

The Effect of Compost and Biochar Fertilizers on The Growth and Yield of Shallots

This study aims to determine the effect of compost and biochar doses and their interactions on the growth and yield of shallots. This research was conducted at the Local Waste Processing Site (TOSS), Kusamba Village, Dawan District, Klungkung Regency, Bali Province. The design used in this study was a factorial randomized block design (RAK) consisting of 2 factors. The first factor is the treatment of compost dose (K) which consists of 3 levels, namely: K1 = 5 tons ha-1, K2 = 10 tons ha-1, and K3 = 15 tons ha-1. While the second factor is the dose of biochar (B) which consists of 3 levels, namely: B1 = 5 tons ha-1, B2 = 10 tons ha-1, and B3 = 15 tons ha-1. The interaction between compost treatment with biochar had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the fresh weight of tubers per clump and fresh weight of rhizomes per clump, and a very significant effect (P<0.01) on the number of tubers per clump, but not significant (P≥0.05) to other variables. The compost dose treatment had no significant effect (P≥0.05) on all observed variables except for the maximum number of leaves. Biochar dose treatment had a significant to a very significant effect on the variables of maximum leaf number, fresh weight of tubers per clump, the oven-dry weight of tubers per clump, and oven-dry weight of tubers per clump, and had no significant effect (P≥0.05) on other variables. The interaction between compost 5 tons ha-1 and biochar 10 tons ha-1 (K1B2) gave the highest fresh weight of tubers per clump of 100.00 g which was significantly different or increased by 38.60% compared to the lowest fresh weight of tubers per clump at the interaction of compost 5 tons ha-1 with biochar 15 tons ha-1 (K1B3) is 72.15 g.

Komposisi Media Tanam Organik terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Jahe Merah (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) di Polybag

The productivity of red ginger in Indonesia has decreased by 9,174 tons compared to 2017. The decrease is due to the very limited area of red ginger production, the method of red ginger cultivation, which is still very conventional, and the low amount of organic matter in the soil. This study examines the effect of planting media composition on the growth and production of red ginger. The study used a Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments, namely control (soil without manure), cow manure: green manure: soil (1:1:1), P2 = goat manure: green manure: soil (1:1:1), green manure: soil (1:2), cow manure: soil (1:2), and goat manure: soil (1:2) and repeated four times. Composition media of goat manure: green fertilizer: soil with a ratio of 1:1:1 could increase the growth of red ginger in variable plant height, number of leaves in the clump, leaf area, and the weight of fresh stover with a yield of 52.7 cm; 10,75; 148,5; 2952.59 cm2; and 307.33 g. Composition of green fertilizer media: soil with a ratio of 1:2 could increase the weight of dry stover with a value of 39.32 g, and red ginger production includes fresh weight of rhizomes 111.32 g, storage weight of rhizomes 107.87 g, and rhizome volume 124.12 cm3.

Effect of Container Volume and Planting Density on Ginger and Turmeric Growth and Yield

Domestic production of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes is increasing. The objective of this study was to compare growth and rhizome yield of these crops using different container volumes and planting densities. Two greenhouse experiments that lasted 28 weeks each were conducted. In Expt. I, one sprouted rhizome of a single ginger variety (Bubba Blue) and four turmeric varieties (Hawaiian Red, BKK, White Mango, and Black) were transplanted into either small (1.5 gal) or large (13.3 gal) round containers. In Expt. II, either one or three sprouted rhizomes of two ginger varieties (Bubba Blue and Madonna) and two turmeric varieties (Indira Yellow and Hawaiian Red) were transplanted into either large (13.3 gal) or medium (3.9 gal) round containers. In Expt. I, there were an increase in plant growth and yield with increasing container volume, as both crops produced more than double the shoot, root, and rhizome fresh weight (FW) when grown in large compared with small containers. In Expt. II, rhizome yield of ginger was 44% higher in medium than large containers, and container volume did not affect yield in turmeric. Total dry weight (DW) was higher in plants grown in the larger container volume in both species in Expt. I, and turmeric only in Expt. II. However, ginger in Expt. II had an 18% higher plant DW in the medium compared with the large container. The higher density in Expt. II increased yield and biomass production per container compared with the lower density, regardless of variety and container volume. Overall, net revenue per container was higher in Expt. II than Expt. I because of the higher rhizome yield. In Expt. I, the higher yield of ginger compared with turmeric increased sales revenue of this species, despite a lower sales price per kilogram. In contrast, the higher yield of turmeric in Expt. II resulted in higher sales revenue and net revenue per container compared with ginger. Based on our results, medium containers could be used to minimize material and space costs for ginger and turmeric production under the conditions evaluated in our study.

The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Induction to The Growth and Atsiri Oils Content of Three Types Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is one of the biopharmaca plants that have many beneficial contents. In Indonesia, biopharmaca plant production is currently developing. The development production of ginger must be balanced with the standard quality of the global market. There are many metodh to improve the ginger quality, one of them is Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) addition. It’s well recognized that the function of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in ginger plant is to developed the growth and secondary metabolism like atsiri oils. Mode of action the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) has induced root performance to develop the growth and atsiri oils content of gingers. This study aims to discover the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on the growth and the content of secondary metabolism especially atsiri oils on three types of ginger. Hopefully, the research of this study would be useful for ginger cultivation.
 The experimental design in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) factorial pattern of 3x4 with 3 replications. The treatment in this experiment was a combination of various types of ginger by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) administration. Then the data will be analyzed using variance analysis (ANOVA). If treatments are significantly different, so the difference test will be performed with Duncan's multiple ranges at a 5% confidence level. Based on the results of the study showed that there were a significant interaction between the Fungal Mycorrhizal Arbuskula (AMF) fertilizer dose with type of ginger on the plant height, number of tillers, plant wet weight and plant dry weight with the best combination of treatments obtained on the red ginger types, with a 15 grams dose of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) fertilizer (J2F2). A dose of 15 grams arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) significantly affected the Leaf Area Index (LAI), fresh rhizome weight, dry rhizome weight, root length, root volume, and atsiri oils, where giant ginger showed the best growth response.

Effect of Media, Benzyl Adenine, And Npk Fertilizer on The Growth And Development of Oxalis (oxalis Triangularis) Plant

The present study was conducted in a plastic house in the campus of Duhok university, Kurdistan region, Iraq, during the growing year 2021, to investigate the effect of different factors includes growing media (river soil, peatmoss and river soil + peatmoss 1:1), Benzyl Adenine (BA) (0 and 500 mg.l-1), NPK fertilizer (0, and 200 mg.l-1) per pots on the growth of oxalis plant (Oxalis triangularis). The results showed that the peatmoss significantly improved all the studied parameters compared with mixture and river soil. Similarly, benzyl adenine at (500 mg.l-1) increases most study characters except rhizomes number, single rhizome volume and single rhizome fresh weight. However, NPK fertilizer at concentration (200 mg.l-1) per pot improved leaf length. The interactions between peatmoss and (500 mg.l-1) BA recorded significantly entire growth measurements exclude rhizomes number, single rhizome volume and single rhizome fresh weight. Whereas, the interactions between peatmoss and without NPK fertilizer, positively enhanced leaf number, vegetative dry weight, rhizomes number, and single rhizome volume, also the interactions of (500 mg.l-1) BA plus (200 mg.l-1) NPK leading to encourages most parameters in the research. And the triple interaction among peatmoss, (200 mg.l-1) NPK and (500 mg.l-1) BA recorded best results of most studied parameters

Effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and economics of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Amar Singh College, Lakhaoti, Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) to assess the influence of micronutrients on growth, yield and economics of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Eight treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that all the growth and yield attributing characters of turmeric responded significantly to the application of micronutrients, whether alone and/or in combination. Application of Zn was more effective in improving the growth, yield and economics as compared to Fe and B. Application of25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 along with RDF resulted in the maximum plant height (95.5 cm), highest number of tillers per plant (2.96), number of leaves per plant (25.0), number of rhizomes per plant (20.2); maximum fresh weight of rhizomes per plant (297.7 g) and the highest yield of turmeric (33.07 tha-1).The yield increment with RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 was 20.3% over the control. The performance of RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 ha-1 and RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 wasat par with RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 50 kg FeSO4 + 10 kg borax ha-1 for the growth and yield attributes of turmeric. The lowest values of these parameters were recorded under control.An eeconomic assessment of different treatments revealed that the maximum net return (Rs.4,54,445ha-1) with the highest B:C ratio (2.89)was realized from the combined application of Zn + Fe + B along with RDFas compared to control with a net return of Rs. 3,43,517 ha-1and B:C ratio of 2.47.

Effect of sugarcane pressmud with inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.

A field experiment was conducted at Amar Singh PG College, Lakhaoti, Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) during 2018-19and 2019-20, to assess the efficacy of sugarcane pressmud on growth, yield and economics of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Six different levels of pressmud were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The results indicated that turmeric responded significantly to the application of pressmud over control. Application of 20 t pressmud ha-1 along with RDF resulted in the highest plant height (97.4 cm), maximum leaf length (49.4 cm) and leaf breadth (12.9 cm). The highest number of rhizomes per plant (21.5), maximum fresh rhizome weight per plant (310.3 g) and fresh rhizome yield (34.5 t ha-1) were produced with the application of RDF + 20 t pressmud ha-1.The yield increment with RDF + 20 t pressmud ha-1 was 22.7%, over the control (RDF only).The growth, yield attributes and yield of turmeric rhizomes tended to decrease with higher levels of pressmud beyond 20 t pressmud ha-1. The control treatment performed the poorest as against different levels of pressmud application, recording the lowest values for all these characters. Economic assessment of different treatments revealed that the maximum net return (Rs. 4,78,757 ha-1) with the highest B:C ratio (2.95) was obtained with the application of RDF + 20 t pressmud ha-1 as compared to control with a net return of Rs. 3,54,677 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.51.

Growth and Yield Components of Some Turmeric Varieties (Curcuma Longa L.) As Affected by Inorganic Fertilizer Levels in Umudike, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A research on growth and yield components of some turmeric varieties (Curcuma longa L.) as affected by inorganic fertilizer levels in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria was carried out at the teaching and research farm of the University, during 2018/2019 cropping seasons. It was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Results, showed that plant height and number of tillers for both varieties and fertilizers levels increased at 2, 4, and 6 months after planting (MAP) during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) Kg-1 produced tallest plants and highest number of tillers over other varieties and fertilizer levels. Crop growth rate was positive at 2 – 4 MAP and negative at 4 – 6 MAP, with 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 producing higher growth rate. Heaviest rhizomes fresh weight (kg plot-1) of 3.74 and 3.75, rhizome dry matter content of 14.49 and 16.8%, rhizome dry weight of 23.57 and 23.90g and harvest index of 2.60 and 2.70% was yielded by UMT 021 variety over other varieties. The level of 400 NPK (15:15:15) kg ha-1 produced heaviest rhizome fresh weight of 4.47 and 4.57 kg plot-1; rhizome dry matter content of 19.42 and 25.8%; rhizome dry weight of 27.54 and 27.8g and harvest index of 2.81 and 3.20%, over other levels. Consequently, variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 are recommended for sole production of turmeric in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria.

Effect of Photoperiod, Propagative Material, and Production Period on Greenhouse-grown Ginger and Turmeric Plants

The objectives were to 1) compare growth and yield of different ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) propagules grown under two photoperiods (Expt. 1); and 2) evaluate whether their growing season could be extended with night interruption lighting (NI) during the winter (Expt. 2). In Expt. 1, propagules included 1) micropropagated tissue culture (TC) transplants, 2) second-generation rhizomes harvested from TC transplants (2GR), and 3) seed rhizomes (R). Plants received natural short days (SDs) or NI providing a total photon flux density (TPFD) of 1.3 µmol·m−2·s−1. Providing NI increased number of new tillers or leaves per plant, rhizome yield (i.e., rhizome fresh weight), and dry mass partitioning to rhizomes in both species. There was no clear trend on SPAD index in response to photoperiod or propagative material. Although TC-derived plants produced more tillers or leaves per plant, 2GR ginger and R turmeric produced a higher rhizome yield. In Expt. 2, seed rhizomes of ginger and turmeric were grown under five treatments with different photoperiods and/or production periods: 1) 20 weeks with NI (20NI), 2) 24 weeks with NI (24NI), 3) 28 weeks with NI (28NI), 4) 14 weeks with NI + 10 weeks under natural SDs (24NISD), and 5) 14 weeks with NI + 14 weeks under natural SDs (28NISD). NI provided a TPFD of 4.5 µmol·m−2·s−1. Lengthening the production period and providing NI increased rhizome yield and crude fiber content in both species. SPAD index decreased when plants were exposed to natural SDs at the end of the production period (NISD treatments). Results demonstrate the potential to overcome winter dormancy of ginger and turmeric plants with NI, enabling higher rhizome yield under natural SDs.

Optimization of curcumin temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrizha Roxb.) on calcareous marginal land under teak

Temulawak produces bioactive compounds that have antioxidant activity and changes in its chemical composition are caused by environmental pH. Sulphur is an essential nutrient for plants and a constituent of several coenzymes and vitamins that play a role in plant metabolism. Marginal calcareous land in Tuban is generally used as teak production forest, because food crops cannot grow optimally in this land. Temulawak is a shade-tolerant plant that can grow well in conditions of low light intensity. The objective of this research is to obtain the appropriate goat manure and sulphur fertilizer dosages for temulawak planted beneath teak stands on calcareous marginal soil in order to maximize its yield and quality. The field experiment was RCBD with three replications and two factors: manure level (10, 15 and 20 t ha-1) and ZA level (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1). The results showed that a higher fresh weight of rhizomes per clump was obtained in combination of 10 and 15 ha-1 manures and 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer. Similar high yield is obtained when 20 t ha-1 of manure is applied in combination with 80 kg ha-1 of sulphur. In addition, a higher curcumin content and antioxidant activity were obtained in plant treated with 10 t ha-1 manure without S fertilizer. Similar high curcumin content and antioxidant activity of the rhizome were also obtained from rhizome treated with 15 t ha-1 of manure in combination with 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer and 20 t ha-1 manure without sulphur fertilizer.

Effectivity of adding some types of organic manure on red ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc. var. rubrum)

Red ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc. var. rubrum) is a medicinal plant that belongs to the flowering family (Zingiberaceae). Indonesian potential production of red ginger was about 22 tons Ha−1 within export volume up to 3,000 tons in 2018. This value is completely different from production yields, which decreased every year. Fertilization is one of the cultivation techniques that can increase production. This study aimed to determine the type of organic fertilizer that effectively increases the growth and yield of red ginger. The research was conducted in Jatiyoso, Karanganyar from March to August 2020 with one-factor RCBD and five treatments, it is T0 (Control), T1 (Marketed Manure), T2 (Cow Manure), T3 (Goat Manure), and T4 (Chicken Manure). Plants applied with goat manure (T3) resulted in the highest growth and yield. The growth of red ginger in terms of plant height (72.77 cm), number of tillers (14.93), and weight of fresh straw (30.89 g) tended to be higher in plants applied with goat manure. The yield of fresh rhizome weight and stored rhizome weight applied with goat manure, which is 1033.8 g and 916.8 g, was the highest value above all treatments.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) based intercropping systems for enhancing productivity and income – a farmers’ participatory approach

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), an important medicinal and aromatic rhizomatous spice crop has potential for improving the livelihood of hill farmers. A participatory field study was conducted in 35 farmers' field of Mawthei village (25°44’18.57” N, 91°58’27.89” E and elevation of 1000-1200 m amsl) of Meghalaya to identify a sustainable ginger based intercropping system to improve income of the resource poor hill farmers. Results indicated that fresh rhizome weight was the highest in ginger as sole crop (208 g/plant) which was at par with ginger + soybean, ginger + maize + French bean and ginger + groundnut intercropping systems. Ginger + maize + French bean + pumpkin system recorded the highest Ginger Equivalent Yield (GEY, 9.24 t/ha), i.e. 15.20% higher than sole ginger crop yield. Maximum Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was obtained in ginger + maize + French bean (2.63) followed by ginger + maize + French bean + pumpkin (2.57) system. The highest net returns were recorded with ginger + maize + French bean + pumpkin (₹ 3.36 lakh/ha) followed by ginger + maize + French bean (₹ 3.17 lakh/ha) systems. The intercropping of ginger + groundnut recorded highest benefit cost ratio (3.42), followed by ginger + pumpkin and ginger + maize + French bean. Thus, adoption of ginger + maize + French bean + pumpkin and ginger + maize + French bean intercropping systems may help in improving the economic conditions of the hill farmers in eastern Himalayas.

Organic Ginger (<i>Zingiber officinale</i> Rosc.) Development in a Short Temperate Growing Season: Effect of Seedling Transplant Type and Mycorrhiza Application

Global warming and consumer demand for medicinal plants present an opportunity to introduce ginger growth to the US Delmarva Peninsula. High tunnel and field studies were conducted to assess the development of organic ginger (Zingiber officinalis, Rosc) seedling transplants in mycorrhiza-amended soil. Transplant types were tissue culture derived with less than three tillers (TCS1), three or more tillers (TCS2), and nontissue culture derived (NTCS1). Transplants were grown with or without mycorrhiza (2.8 g per plant) in a split plot design with soil amendments as main plot and transplant type as subplot. Data were collected for air temperatures, plant height, tiller number, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), rhizome fresh weight, plant biomass, rhizome nutrients, and levels of As and Pb. TCS2 transplants produced significantly higher, or trended to higher rhizome yield than transplants with less than three tillers, except for year two field study. The maximum rhizome fresh weight per plant was 648.3 g for TCS2 in high tunnel in year one. Generally, TCS2 had most tillers throughout the growing season ranging from 6.9 to 25.7 tillers per plant over three studies. Mycorrhiza had no effect on ginger height, tiller number, LCI or rhizome yield. Sustained high temperatures above 37°C, plus high light in the field caused dieback and stunted shoot growth in year two. There were no consistent effects of mycorrhiza or transplant type on rhizome nutrient content. Content of total Pb, As and other elements were at safe threshold levels for rhizome consumption. These results suggest that gingers grown from TCS2 transplants with at least three tillers yielded more rhizome than those grown from S1 transplants with fewer tillers. Introduction of ginger to a short season region such as the Delmarva may require consideration of environmental condition such as high temperature and light to which seedling transplants may be exposed in summer.

Growth and Yield of Three Turmeric Varities (Curcuma longa L.) under Mango Based Agroforestry

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh during 24 March 2018 to 10 January 2019, to investigate the growth and yield of different turmeric varieties under mango trees and open control. The experiment consisted of two factors with three replications. Among the two factors, one factor was two production systems: T1 =Mango + Turmeric and T2=Open control + Turmeric; the second factor was three turmeric local varieties: V1=Thailand, V2= Malshira and V3= Debipat. Interaction treatments between factor A and factor B were T1V1, T1V2, T1V3, T2V1, T2V2 and T2V3 combinations. The experiment was laid out following a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Findings of the study revealed that growth and yield of turmeric significantly varied in the main effect of different agroforestry production systems. The highest fresh weight of rhizome (11000 kg/ha) was obtained in T2 and lowest (7055 kg/ha) in T1. The highest dry weight of rhizome (2126 kg/ha) was found in T2 and lowest (1456 kg/ha) was in T1. On the other hand the highest fresh weight of rhizome was 9777 kg/ha found with (V2) and lowest 8055 kg/ha with (V3), the highest dry weight of rhizome was 2013kg/ha found in V1.In case of interaction, the highest fresh rhizome weight (13611 kg/ha) and dry rhizome weight (2631 kg/ha) were recorded in T2V2 and T2V2, respectively. However, the lowest were found in T1V2 (5944 kg/ha) and T1V2 (1208 kg/ha).

Growth Performance of Two Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Varieties under Different Agroforestry Systems in Bangladesh

The experiments was conducted at a farmers’ field adjacent to the HSTU Research Farm, Dinajpur during 28th April to 13th December 2018 to evaluate growth and quality of two ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) varieties under different tree such as ghoraneem, litchi and mango based Agroforestry systems. The experiment was two factors RCBD where Factor A (four Agroforestry systems) and Factor B (two ginger varieties). Factor A (Agroforestry system) were- T1=under Ghoraneem, T2= under Litchi, T3= under Mango and T4= Open field (control). Again, factor B (variety) were- V1= Deshiand V2= China. Therefore, the treatment combinations were T1V1, T1V2, T2V1, T2V2, T3V1, T3V2, T4V1 and T4V2. The experiment results revealed that the growth and quality of ginger were significantly varied by the main effect of different Agroforestry systems. The highest germination speed, plant height was higher under Ghoraneem (T1) but thehighest fresh rhizome weight (21600 kg/ha) was found under Mango based System (T3), whereas the highest dry rhizome weight (20%) was found under Open field condition (T4). The main effect of varieties on growth and quality of ginger were significantly varied. Germination speed, plant height, fresh rhizome weight was higher in deshi ginger (V1) but highest dry rhizome weight was found in china ginger (V2). The interaction effect of Agroforestry systems and ginger varieties was also significant. The highest germination found in T1V1.Again, the tallest plant was recorded in T1V2.The highest fresh rhizome weight (20865 kg/ha) was found in T3V1 but the highest dry rhizome weight was found inT4V1 (21.25 %). The relationship between light intensity and fresh ginger rhizome yield was inversely proportional. The highest ginger rhizome yield (21600 kg/ha) was found when the total light intensity was 115.50 LUX under Mango (T1) and the lowest ginger rhizome yield(18366 kg/ha) was when the total light intensity was 321.50 LUX in open field (T4).