Growth and fibre development of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in south-east Queensland

Abstract

The growth pattern and fibre development of field-grown ginger were studied over a crop cycle in a sub-tropical environment at Nambour in south-east Queensland. Eleven sequential harvests were taken at 4- and 2-week intervals from 10 to 32 weeks after planting, and at 40 weeks. Fresh and dry weights of rhizomes, leaf areas and the percentage of fibre-free rhizomes were recorded. Crop growth rate, C, net assimilation rate, E, and leaf area index, LAI, were calculated for each harvest period. Maximum C and LA1 were 39.7 g m-2 day-1 and 13.4, respectively. C and E showed normal patterns by declining with age up toflowering, and then increasing during the latter period of rhizome bulking. The rises were attributed to an increased photosynthetic efficiency in response to greater demand for assimilates. Choice grade (fibre-free) rhizome recovery declined rapidly from flowering onwards. It was concluded that investigation of nutritional practices relating application of nitrogen to the rhizome bulking period was warranted.