Yield and Quality Assessment of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Genotypes

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is an important spice crop used either in the form of fresh rhizome or dried ground ginger. It is principally used as an ingredient in various spice blends in food processing and beverage industries. In north eastern region of India, ginger is an important cash crop, which support the livelihood and improve the economic level of tribal community. In the present study, 33 genotypes including some local genotypes of ginger was undertaken to identify the desirable type and proper stage of harvesting for commercial production. The changes in yield, dry matter, fiber, starch, protein and essential oil were determined at four stages of maturity i.e. five, six, seven and eight months after sowing these ginger genotypes. The increase in yield was non significant after seven months of sowing. With the advent of maturity, study revealed that dry matter, fibre, and starch content of rhizome increases while protein and oil content decreases. The genotypes Jugijan, Suprabha and Varada can be harvested at early stages (6 months after sowing) while Nadia and Mahima may be harvested at full maturity for high yield and better quality i.e. low fiber and high volatile oil recovery. It is concluded that ginger crop could be harvested after seven months of sowing due to increase in yield and quality parameter which was non significant after seven months.