Rhizome Research Articles

Thallium content in vegetables and derivation of threshold for safe food production in soil: A meta-analysis

Soil thallium (Tl) pollution is a serious environmental problem, and vegetables are the primary pathway for human exposure to Tl. Therefore, it is important to investigate the characteristics of soil Tl uptake by vegetables. In this study, the meta-analysis approach was first applied to explore the relationship between Tl content in vegetables and soil environment, as well as key factors influencing soil physical–chemical properties, and to derive soil thresholds for Tl. The results indicated that various types of vegetables have different capabilities for Tl accumulation. Vegetables from contaminated areas showed high Tl accumulation, and the geomean Tl content in different types of vegetables was in the following order: leafy > root–stalk > solanaceous vegetables. Taro and kale had significantly higher capability to accumulate soil Tl among the 35 species studied, with Tl bioconcentration factor values of 0.060 and 0.133, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis and meta-analysis revealed that the Tl content in vegetables was significantly correlated with soil pH and Tl content in soil. The linear predictive model for Tl accumulation in vegetables based on soil Tl content described the data well, and the fitting coefficient R2 increased with soil pH value. According to potential dietary toxicity, the derived soil Tl thresholds for all, leafy and root–stalk vegetables increased with an increase in soil pH, and were in the range of 1.46–6.72, 1.74–5.26 and 0.92–6.06 mg/kg, respectively. The soil Tl thresholds for kale, lettuce and carrot were in the range of 0.24–4.89, 2.94–3.32 and 3.77–14.43 mg/kg, respectively. Ingestion of kale, beet, sweet potato, potato, taro, pepper, turnip, Chinese cabbage, eggplant and carrot poses potential health risks. The study provides scientific guidance for vegetable production in Tl-contaminated areas and can help with the selection of vegetable species suitable for avoiding the absorption of Tl from contaminated soil.

Does the Distance from the Formal Path Affect the Richness, Abundance and Diversity of Geophytes in Urban Forests and Parks?

Geophytes are a characteristic element of deciduous forests in the temperate zone, as well as a common component of urban green spaces due to their early flowering and high decorative value. Nevertheless, in urban areas, geophytes are constantly threatened by recreational activities, especially in parks where intensive trampling occurs. In this study, we tested the effect of the distance from formal paths on the species richness, abundance and diversity of geophytes in relation to habitat conditions in urban forests and parks. We established a total of 400 plots (1 m × 1 m) located close (CL) to and further (FU) from paths in 10 forests and 10 parks in Kraków, southern Poland, in spring 2022. We recorded 23 species from nine groups of geophytes forming different underground storage organs, i.e., bulbs (B), hypocotyl bulbs (HB), rhizomes (RH), runners (RU), runners and rhizomes (RU-RH), runner-like rhizomes (RL-RH), runners and runners with tuberous tip (RU-TU), runners and shoot tubers (RU-ST) and root tubers (RT). The differences in the number, share and cover-abundance of geophytes between the CL and FU plots were statistically insignificant. In contrast, the total number, share and cover-abundance of geophytes were significantly higher in forests than in parks. Additionally, the share and cover-abundance of RH and RT were significantly higher in forests than in parks. Moreover, in CL plots in forests and parks, the cover-abundance of RH and RT were negatively correlated with soil compaction. Urban forests provide a high abundance of RH, RU-RH and RT, while parks support a high abundance of BU. To protect forest geophytes in urban forests and parks, it is recommended to limit trampling and soil eutrophication, as well as reduce the increase in soil pH along paths.

Relatively high light inhibits reserves degradation in the Coptis chinensis rhizome during the leaf expansion by changing the source-sink relationship.

The early spring is a seasonal high-light "window" for new leaf growth and photosynthetic carbon capture by the shade-tolerant evergreen understory plants. However, it remains unclear how light regulates the source-sink relationship between rhizome (RO), mature leaf (ML), and immature leaf (IL) during Coptis chinensis leaf expansion. Understanding this relationship is essential to reducing RO reserve degradation and ultimately promote RO biomass accumulation. The plants grew in an artificial climate chamber with low (50 μmol m-2 s-1) and relatively high (200 μmol m-2 s-1) light intensity treatments. Leaf fluorescence, foliar phosphorus (P) fractions, soluble sugars, starch, total P, and alkaloid concentrations in ILs, MLs, and RO were measured, and 13C labeling was used to indicate the direction of photosynthetic carbon flow between organs. The plants grown under high light intensity had higher levels of starch in RO and higher RO biomass at the end of the year compared to those grown under low light intensity. The photosystem II (PSII) operating efficiency [Y(II)], relative electron transport rate (rETR), and photochemical quenching (qP), as well as sucrose and glucose, in ILs and MLs under relatively high light, was higher than those under low light. The glucose and starch concentrations in ILs at 35d was significantly higher than that at 15d when plants were under 200 μmol m-2 s-1, while they were not significantly changed and remained low at 50 μmol m-2 s-1. The 13C was detected in the RO when plants were grown at 200 μmol m-2 s-1, regardless of ILs and MLs 13C labeling, while no 13C was detected in the RO when plants were under 50 μmol m-2 s-1. Additionally, the proportion of photosynthetic transport from ILs to MLs was significantly higher than that from MLs to ILs under the 50-μmol m-2 s-1 limit. Total P concentration in ILs was lower under relatively high light, but there was no difference in nucleic acid P concentration in ILs under the two light intensity treatments. The alkaloid concentration in RO was lower under 200 μmol m-2 s-1 than that under 50 μmol m-2 s-1. We propose that relatively high light reduces the need for carbohydrates and P stored in the RO to support IL growth by (1) accelerating the sink-to-source transition in ILs, which inhibits the use of reserves in the RO; (2) using energy from MLs to support IL growth, thereby reducing RO reserve consumption, and (3) reducing the demand for P by investing less in the development of photosynthetic machinery. Furthermore, under low light, MLs serve as a sink and rely on other organs for support, directly or indirectly exacerbating the reserves lost in the RO.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the polygalacturonase gene family in sweetpotato

BackgroundPolygalacturonase (PG), a crucial enzyme involved in pectin degradation, is associated with various plants’ developmental and physiological processes such as seed germination, fruit ripening, fruit softening and plant organ abscission. However, the members of PG gene family in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) have not been extensively identified.ResultsIn this study, there were 103 PG genes identified in sweetpotato genome, which were phylogenetically clustered into divergent six clades. The gene structure characteristics of each clade were basically conserved. Subsequently, we renamed these PGs according to their locations of the chromosomes. The investigation of collinearity between the PGs in sweetpotato and other four species, contained Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum lycopersicum, Malus domestica and Ziziphus jujuba, revealed important clues about the potential evolution of the PG family in sweetpotato. Gene duplication analysis showed that IbPGs with collinearity relationships were all derived from segmental duplications, and these genes were under purifying selection. In addition, each promoter region of IbPG proteins contained cis-acting elements related to plant growth and development processes, environmental stress responses and hormone responses. Furthermore, the 103 IbPGs were differentially expressed in various tissues (leaf, stem, proximal end, distal end, root body, root stalk, initiative storage root and fibrous root) and under different abiotic stresses (salt, drought, cold, SA, MeJa and ABA treatment). IbPG038 and IbPG039 were down-regulated with salt, SA and MeJa treatment. According to the further investigation, we found that IbPG006, IbPG034 and IbPG099 had different patterns under the drought and salt stress in fibrous root of sweetpotato, which provided insights into functional differences among these genes.ConclusionA total of 103 IbPGs were identified and classified into six clades from sweetpotato genome. The results of RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR suggested that IbPG006, IbPG034 and IbPG099 might play a significant role in tissue specificity as well as drought and salt stress responses, which showed valuable information for further functional characterization and application of the IbPGs.

Based on 1H NMR and LC-MS metabolomics reveals biomarkers with neuroprotective effects in multi-parts ginseng powder

In the absence of appearance features, it is becoming increasingly difficult to accurately distinguish botanical herbal powders from different families or parts of the plant. In this study, we explored the biomarkers with neuroprotective effects in multi-parts ginseng based on metabolite content changes and biological functions. First, using 1H NMR and LC-MS metabolomics techniques and multivariate statistical analysis techniques to analyze the differential metabolites (DMs) in ginseng main root (TR), lateral root (LR) and Rhizome (RZ). Also, the analysis of 14 differential metabolites (DMs) using network pharmacology yielded 23 core targets associated with neuroprotective diseases, the KEGG pathway was enriched for 117 signaling pathways and 184 enrichment processes were shown in the GO analysis. Combined with the correlation analysis of primary differential metabolites (PDMs) and secondary differential metabolites (SDMs) content and network activity, we finally identified three biomarkers in different parts of ginseng, namely sucrose, ginsenoside Rb1, and ginsenoside Rb3. Finally, the three biomarkers were validated by molecular docking and SH-SY5Y survival, and the results showed that sucrose, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rb3 exhibited favorable activity results in neuroprotective functions. The results of this study reveal the overall differences in the DMs of the three parts of ginseng, and three biomarkers can help identify different parts of ginseng powder, to avoid illegal substitution when ginseng is used in medicine. At the same time, it also provides a reference method for screening biomarkers that can distinguish different parts of traditional Chinese medicine.

Essential Oil Composition Analysis of Cymbopogon Species from Eastern Nepal by GC-MS and Chiral GC-MS, and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Major Compounds.

Cymbopogon species essential oil (EO) carries significant importance in pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy, food, etc. The chemical compositions of Cymbopogon spp. Viz. Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), and Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), enantiomeric distribution by chiral GC-MS, and antimicrobial activities of some selected pure major compound and root and leaves EOs of citronella. The EO of leaves of Cymbopogon spp. showed comparatively higher yield than roots or other parts. Contrary to citral (neral and geranial) being a predominant compound of Cymbopogon spp., α-elemol (53.1%), α-elemol (29.5%), geraniol (37.1%), and citral (90.4%) were detected as major compounds of the root, root hair with stalk, leaf, and root stalk with shoot of citronella EO, respectively. Palmarosa leaves' EO contains neral (36.1%) and geranial (53.1) as the major compounds. In the roots of palmarosa EO, the prime components were α-elemol (31.5%), geranial (25.0%), and neral (16.6%). Similarly, lemongrass leaves' EO contains geraniol (76.6%) and geranyl acetate (15.2%) as major compounds, while the root EO contains a higher amount of geraniol (87.9%) and lower amount of geranyl acetate (4.4%). This study reports for the first time chiral terpenoids from Cymbopogon spp. EOs. Chiral GC-MS gave specific enantiomeric distributions of nine, six, and five chiral terpenoids in the root, root stalk with a shoot, and leaves of citronella EOs, respectively. Likewise, four and three chiral terpenoids in the root and leaves of lemongrass oil followed by two chiral terpenoids in the leaves and root of palmarosa EOs each. Additionally, the root and leaves' EOs of citronella exhibit noticeable activity on bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and fungus such as Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. So, geranial-, neral-, geraniol-, and citronellal-rich EOs can be used as an alternative antimicrobial agent.

Estabelecimento e produção de plantas de bastão-do-imperador associadas a inoculação com Fungos Micorrízicos Arbusculares

Abstract Traditionally, Torch Ginger is commercially propagated via rhizomes. Micropropagation (M) is a viable alternative that ensures the genetic and phytosanitary quality of plantlets. However, in vitro cultivation conditions can lead to morphophysiological disorders resulting in death or difficulties in the acclimatization process and establishment of seedlings/plantlets in field conditions. Thus, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) has been used in some crops in order to mitigate the drastic effects during acclimatization and establishment of micropropagated plantlets in the field. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the implantation forms and efficacy of micropropagation and AMF inoculation on the establishment and production of Torch Ginger plants. The planting was carried in shading screens (50%) and different implantation forms were used; through rhizome (RIZ) and plantlets micropropagated with (M+AMF) and without (M-AMF) inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Evaluations of growth, phenology and mycorrhizal colonization were carried out for one year. Micropropagation, independently of AMF inoculation, favoured a better development in height and number of tillers when compared to RIZ plants It is concluded that micropropagated plants of E. elatior showed earlier tiller emission, better development and initial establishment in the field. Additionally, the forms of implantation of E. elatior via rhizome and via micropropagation with or without AMF inoculation produce inflorescences with the minimum characteristics required for commercialization.

Alocasia odora-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles, their cytotoxicity, and virucidal potential.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have various applications in the biomedical field and are considered excellent microbicidal agents. Moreover, biological synthesis of AgNPs using medicinal plants further improves the medicinal applicability of these plants. In this study, the aqueous extract of Alocasia odora rhizome (RE) and Alocasia odora stem (SE) were used to synthesize stem aqueous extract-AgNPs (SNP) and rhizome aqueous extract-AgNPs (RNP). Furthermore, RNP and SNP were evaluated for their virucidal potential. The synthesis of SNP and RNP was monitored using a UV spectrophotometer by observing their surface plasmon resonance peak. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) gave further insight into their morphology and particle size, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of silver ions. Interestingly, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of AgNPs revealed that phytomolecules acted as capping and stabilizing agents for SNP and RNP. The in vitro cytotoxicity of SNP and RNP was further analyzed using MTT assay on the U87-MG human glioblastoma cancer cell line and SNP found to be the most cytotoxic (43.40µg/ml) among all. Besides that, SNP has also found to show the maximum cytopathic effects (CPE) against dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) on Huh-7 cell line. As a result of the observations, it can be concluded that they can become a promising antiviral drug candidate and thus merit further testing. KEY POINTS: • AgNPs were successfully synthesized through Alocasia odora aqueous extract. • AgNPs were more cytotoxic on the U87-MG cell line than the extract alone. • AgNPs have shown significant reduction in the dengue viral infection than the extract alone.

Comprehensive phytochemical profiling of American ginseng in Jilin province of China based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

American ginseng (AG), the underground part of Panax quinquefolium L., is composed of four morphological regions, including main root (MR), lateral root (LR), fibrous root (FR), and rhizome (RH). In the clinical, MR is the main medicinal region, other regions are rarely attention. Aiming at revealing the chemical composition of AG and making better use of AG, screening analysis and metabolomic analysis were both performed to profile MR, LR, FR, and RH. First, in the systematical screening analysis, a total of 134 compounds (including 122 shared components) with various structural patterns were identified and tentatively characterized. The results indicated that the phytochemicals with various structural types were rich in MR, LR, FR, and RH. Second, 6, 4, 8, and 11 chemical markers were identified from MR, LR, FR, and RH, respectively. Seven triterpene saponins (protopanaxatriol, quinquenoside R1 , ginsenoside Rc, Rk1 , Rg1 , Re, and vinaginsenoside R1 ) might be used for rapid differentiation of four morphological regions. This comprehensive profile study of metabolites illustrated the similarities and differences of phytochemicals in four morphological regions of AG. The results could be used for the quality control of AG and furnish a basis for the further development and utilization of AG sources.

‘I am everywhere all at once’: pipelines, rhizomes and research writing

‘I am everywhere all at once’: pipelines, rhizomes and research writing

Comprehensive Investigation on Ginsenosides in Different Parts of a Garden-Cultivated Ginseng Root and Rhizome.

Background: Ginseng is widely used as herb or food. Different parts of ginseng have diverse usages. However, the comprehensive analysis on the ginsenosides in different parts of ginseng root is scarce. Methods: An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) combined with UNIFI informatics platform and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-charged aerosol detection (UHPLC-CAD) were employed to evaluate the different parts of cultivated ginseng root. Results: 105 ginsenosides including 16 new compounds were identified or tentatively characterized. 22 potential chemical markers were identified, 20, 17, and 19 for main root (MR) and fibrous root (FR), main root (MR) and branch root (BR), and main root (MR) and rhizome (RH), respectively. The relative contents of Re, Rb1, 20(R)-Rh1, Rd, and Rf were highest in FR. The relative content of Rg1 was highest in RH. The total relative content of pharmacopoeia indicators Rg1, Re, and Rb1 was highest in FR. Conclusion: The differences among these parts were the compositions and relative contents of ginsenosides. Under our research conditions, the peak area ratio of Rg1 and Re could distinguish the MR and FR samples. Fibrous roots showed rich ingredients and high ginsenosides contents which should be further utilized.

Antituberculor activity of Curcuminoids isolated from Curcuma longa Rhizomes

Antituberculor activity of Curcuminoids isolated from Curcuma longa Rhizomes

Influence of Ethanol Addition on Sugars and Microbial Growth of Rehmannia glutinosa Rhizome with Aging Treatment

Influence of Ethanol Addition on Sugars and Microbial Growth of Rehmannia glutinosa Rhizome with Aging Treatment

Acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive investigations of extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) rhizomes

Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso in the treatment of wounds, edema, drops, infections. This study focused on pharmacological investigations effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr rhizomes. The acute toxicity of the extracts from Ampelocissus africana was performed under OECD 423 guidelines. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema of mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight (bw). The antinociceptive activity of the extracts was determined using acetic acid, formalin nociception models in mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg bw. The involvement of ATP-sensitive K + channel pathway and opioid system were tested using glibenclamide, and naloxone respectively at the unique dose (400 mg/kg). No mortality of mice were observed at dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. The lethal dose (LD 50 ) value estimated to 5000 mg/kg b.w. The tests were showed that the extracts exerted significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory responses in the paw induced by carrageenan (from 37 to 72.90 percent inhibition), antinociceptives in acetic-induced abdominal contractions (from 25.10 to 63.08%), and in formaldehyde-induced paw licking (from 9.27 to 71.77%) tests. The pretreatment with naloxone and glibenclamide did not affect the antinociceptives effects. The results suggested that the extracts from the rhizomes of Ampelocissus africana possessed anti-inflammatory and antinociception effects in mice. These effects could justify the uses of this plant in traditional medicine.

Integrated management of fusarium wilt of chickpea

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important pulse crop grown all over India. Chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is one of the major disease on chickpea in Northern Karnataka, which is soil and seed borne. Heavy inoculum in the soil and favorable environment condition results in the death of infected plant and therefore total yield loss. In this study, integrated management was conducted in both pot culture and in field with two antagonists, one botanical and one fungicide were studied against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri causing chickpea wilt. Pot culture studies found that seed treatment with Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% @ 2 g/kg of seeds + Trichoderma harzianum 4 g/kg of seeds + Curcuma longa rhizome extract (Turmeric) @ 150 ml/ kg of seeds gave minimum wilt incidence (1.46%), maximum wilt incidence was noticed in untreated control with 100 per cent wilted plants. Field studies found that seed treatment with Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% @ 2 g/kg of seeds + Trichoderma harzianum 4 g/kg of seeds + Curcuma longa rhizome extract (Turmeric) @ 150 ml/ kg of seeds gave minimum wilt incidence (1.46%) and maximum yield (10.34 q/ha) followed by seed treatment with Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% @ 2 g/kg of seeds. Bio agents Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus sp. @ 4 g/ kg of seeds and aqueous plant extract of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) rhizome extract @ 150 ml/ kg of seeds were also significant in reducing wilt incidence and more yield as compared to control.

Character association of different turmeric genotypes in Terai region of West Bengal

An investigation was carried out in the university farm land of 22 genotypes for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20 and character association was done of 10 DUS characters where genetic parameters like co-efficient of variation, genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance the results were evaluated for finding out the influence of additive genes or non additive genes of all characters in the next generation. Path analysis of the characters was also done for 2018-19 and 2019-20 to find out the direct and indirect effects of all the characters among themselves on dependant character yield. Plant height was found as a heritable genetic character (which has moderate heritability) and moderately high GA indicates as it is strongly influenced by additive genes for expression for crop improvement programme in the next generation. Single Rhizome wt although does not have high heritability, but the influence of additive genes is found in the two generations. From the results of path analysis plant height character was found to have strong direct significant positive effect on dependant character yield and number of primary rhizome had direct significant negative effect on projected yield. Selection of character (Plant Height, Plot yield) is found on the basis of genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, genetic advance by which crop improvement programme can be set up for future generations where action of additive genes will determine the expression of genetic characters in each genotype.

Antimicrobial traits of different medicinal plants locally available in Bangladesh

Background: Medicinal plants have been commonly used in traditional medicine against different ailment from ancient time. The present study was an attempt to determine the anti-bacterial traits of commonly available medicinal plants, especially having topical uses. Methods: A total of four types of locally available medicinal plant samples inclusive of Turmeric (Curcuma longa, rhizome), Marigold (Tagetes minuta, leaves), Durva Grass (Cynodon dactylon, whole plant), and Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, leaves) were collected. Crude, hot water, and solvent (ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the samples) were tested for their antimicrobial traits by agar well-diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each sample was determined by the microdilution technique. Microbiological quality of the samples was also checked. Results: Microbial contaminations were found in all the samples. Beside viable bacteria and fungi, all samples contained Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. The proliferation of Klebsiella spp. was observed in the majority of the samples. Notable antimicrobial activities were exhibited by the medicinal plant parts tested in this study. Ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed remarkable efficiency in eliminating the growth of tested bacterial isolates although crude and hot water extracts projected no considerable inhibitory effects. The majority of the samples had a MIC value at 12 mg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of the present study reveal that the medicinal plant samples had remarkable antimicrobial traits which portray their potential for the commercial application against different infectious diseases.

Research progress of natural alkaloids with analgesic activity

Pain is a protective defense response of the body to harmful stimuli. Long-term pain not only seriously affects the body of the patient and brings great pain to the patient, but also brings huge economic burden to the patient's family and society. It has become one of the most serious problems affecting human health. At present, opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) are commonly used as painkillers, but they tend to cause a variety of adverse reactions or risk of addiction. To find and develop new analgesic drugs, which are safer and more effective, has become the hot spot and difficulty in medical research. A variety of alkaloids derived from terrestrial plants, microorganisms, marine organisms and fungi have been an important source of clinical analgesic medicines. Various alkaloids have been proved to have good analgesic effects, such as morphine and the related to opioids, the main analgesic active components from Corydalis Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. Here we summarized the research progress of natural alkaloids with analgesic activity, in order to provide reference for the research and development of analgesic drugs based on natural products.

Agricola and the Rhizome II

Agricola and the Rhizome II

POTASSIUM FERTILIZER AND YOUNG SHOOT REMOVAL OF LARGE WHITE GINGER PLANT IMPROVE RHIZOME SEEDS STORABILITY

The application of the appropriate potassium dosage is expected to produce high quality of rhizome seeds, hence improving its storability.Growing shoots are a strong sink. Thus, shoot removal aims to divert the photosynthate partition of shoots to the rhizome to improve rhizome development. The purpose of the research was to evaluate K dosage and young shoot removal:s effect to improve the production and quality of rhizome seeds of large white ginger. The experiment was arranged in the glasshouse in a split-plot design with four replications. The main plot was shoot removal treatments: 1) un removal, and 2) young shoots removal at six months after planting(MAP). The subplots were five doses of K; 0, 150 kg/ha, 300kg/ha, 450kg/ha, 600 kg/ha equivalent to 0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25 and 15 g/plant respectively. The potassium fertilization was two times at 1 and 3 MAP, half dosage for each application. There was no interaction between young shoot removal and potassium dosage on the rhizome’s yield, physical, and biochemical quality. However, potassium dosage affected seed viability significantly. Potassium dosage presented a quadratic response with 7.5 g K/plant gave the best seed viability, whereas the optimum dosage for plant height was at 6.7 g K/plant. Shoot removal at 6 MAP produced seeds with enhanced storability, up to 9 months. Furthermore, it also improved seed viability as indicated by better seed growth than unremoval shoot treatment. Keywords: optimum dosage, seed quality, yield, Zingiber officinal. Abstrak PEMUPUKAN KALIUM DAN PEMBUANGAN TUNAS MUDA TANAMAN JAHE MENINGKATKAN DAYA SIMPAN BENIH JAHE PUTIH BESAR Pemberian pupuk K yang tepat diharapkan dapat menghasilkan benih rimpang yang bermutu tinggi karena dapat disimpan dalam jangka waktu yang panjang. Tunas yang sedang berkembang merupakan sink yang kuat. Pembuangan tunas bertujuan untuk dapat mengalihkan partisi fotosintat dari tunas ke rimpang. Percobaan ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan dosis pupuk K dan mengetahui pengaruh pembuangan tunas muda terhadap produksi benih dan mutu rimpang jahe putih besar (JPB) sehingga memiliki daya simpan lama. Percobaan disusun dengan rancangan petak terbagi dengan empat ulangan. Petak utama adalah pembuangan tunas yaitu: 1)tanpa pembuangan tunas, dan 2)tunas muda dibuang pada 6 bulan setelah tanam (BST). Anak petak adalah lima dosis pupuk K yang diberikan pada 30 dan 90 BST yaitu: 1) tanpa K, 2) 150 kg/ha, 300 kg/ha, 450kg/ha, 600 kg/ha. Dosis pupuk tersebut setara dengan penambahan 0; 3,75; 7,5; 11,25 dan 15 g per tanaman masing-masing 1/2 dosis pada setiap pemberian. Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa faktor tunggal pembuangan tunas muda pada umur 6 bulan setelah tanam (BST) dan pupuk K tidak berpengaruh terhadap produksi dan mutu fisik serta biokimia rimpang. Dosis pupuk K memengaruhi viabilitas benih yang dihasilkan. Viabilitas benih terbaik didapatkan pada penambahan pupuk K dosis 7,5 g/tanaman dengan respon kuadratik dan konsentrasi optimum untuk tinggi tanaman adalah 6,7 g/tanaman. Pembuangan tunas muda tanaman induk pada 6 BST menghasilkan benih yang dapat disimpan dalam jangka waktu 9 bulan serta viabilitas benih dengan pertumbuhan bibit yang lebih baik dibandingkan tanaman tanpa pembuangan tunas. Kata kunci: dosis optimum, mutu benih, produksi, Zingiber officinal.