Changes in the physico-chemical properties and assimilate production of developing young Zingiber officinale rhizome introduced to soilless culture
2009
Jaafar, H. Z. E. | Hamid, M. N. | Rahmat, A. | Sinniah, U. R. | Philip, E.
Recent study to exploit an alternative method for year round and sustainable production of young or green Zingiber officinale had adopted the soilless-fertigation culture under controlled environment system. Initial finding had shown enhanced early growth at 14 week after planting, increased fresh rhizome weight at 47-87%, abundant, good quality sized rhizomes and possibility of year-round production. The finding of the quality of rhizome was, however, not conclusive and hence requires immediate attention. Rhizome quality having high content of flavonoids, is an important determinant of the final use and the economics of rhizome. Quality rhizome is also measured as having good physico-chemical such as fiber-free rhizome as in high quality young or green Z. officinale, a designated choice grade that fetches a premium price. Rhizome growth and quality are, however, easily influenced by growing micro-environment especially moisture. However, information bridging the micro-environmental factors with physico-chemical qualities, assimilate production and flavonoid contents, especially in soilless culture of Z. officinale, are still lacking for proliferation of commercial value and interest. The paper discusses the changes in the quality of developing young Zingiber officinale rhizome in terms of the physico-chemical properties and assimilates production, when introduced to soilless-fertigation culture. The finding serves as basic information for continued study to established precise cultivation technique for sustainable production of quality young Z. officinale production under soilless-fertigation culture in the tropical lowlands, particularly for anti-cancer activity.
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