Progress 09/01/04 to 08/31/06
Outputs
Ginger material used by local farmers was evaluated for quality and uniformity. The good quality and uniformity of ginger rhizomes observed at Corozal and Isabela experiments suggest that the variation in size, color, and shape observed on farms is probably due to the effect of cultural practices. No phenotypical differences were observed among rhizome germplasm. Ginger produced in the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico has basically the same genetic material as the "Chinese type ginger". No major pest or diseases were observed in the production of ginger. Some incidence of the fungus Curvularia spp. during rainy periods and high temperature was observed. Fertilization experiments at Isabela Station, located on the north-west coast of the island, indicated the need to apply nitrogen fertilizer before the sixth month after planting to attain optimum yields. A nitrogen rate of 90 kg/ha, applied by fertigation, was adequate to satisfy crop needs and obtain maximum yields.
The shorter maturity cycle in the coastal zone and excellent yields obtained are advantages for ginger producers to expand ginger production. An experiment with granular fertilization was established at the Corozal Experiment Station. The experiment consisted of four fertilizer rates of granular fertilizer 8-8-12 (0, 60,120 and 180 g/plant) evaluated in both single and split applications. Higher yields were obtained with the 60 g/plant treatment in split applications at four and six months after planting. At Corozal Station, ginger rhizomes reached maturity at ten months after planting, whereas at Isabela, maturity was reached at eight months after planting, all of which suggests a microclimate effect. The effect of yam (Dioscorea rotundata cv. Black Guinea) seed size on germination was evaluated at Corozal and Gurabo Experiment Stations. The results indicate that for yam cultivar Black Guinea, it is not necessary to pre-sprout the seed setts prior to field planting. The stress of
transplanting plants, with vines that reached over one meter long was detrimental to crop yield. The lighter seed sett range of 42 to 70 g should be used for planting. The highest yield of commercial tubers was found where non-sprouted seed setts of 99 to 126 g were used. This treatment significantly outyielded (α = 0.05) the sprouted seed setts of the 42 to 70 g and the 71 to 98 g treatments, but did not differ from the other treatments. No differences among treatments were found in non-commercial yield, nor in the number of commercial or non-commercial tubers. Three experiments on ginger (Zingiber officinale) were established to evaluate the effect of seed sett weight on sprouting and yield. Two of the experiments were planted in a greenhouse at the Gurabo Experiment Station and the third in a shade house at the Corozal Agricultural Experiment Station. Results indicate that seed setts of 115 to 128 g should be used for planting to obtain optimum yields.
Impacts
The results of this study will provide the necessary information for expanding ginger production area in Puerto Rico as a first step toward producing high quality ginger for the export market. Agronomists and farmers will have updated information on fertilization rates and seed size for attaining optimum production and reducing production costs. Phenologycal cycles have been developed for ginger in two different regions and new recommendations for seed sett size for germination of ginger and yam. Over 150 farmers will be directly impacted by this new information. Two graduate students participate in the research; one of them graduated summer 2005. Five scientific presentations have been presented, one of which obtained the best Presentation Award. One Master's Degree Thesis has been published as a result of this work. The technological information on ginger and yam cropping collected by this research will be useful to scientists and extension service specialists in the
preparation of production system packages for farmers with interest in commercial production.
Publications
- Flores, C.A., Munoz, M.A., Beale, A> and Valle, J. 2004. Phenology and yield performance of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in the north-west coastal zone of Puerto Rico. Proc. Caribbean Food Crops Society 40:259 (Abstract).
- Beale, A.J., Flores, C. and Munoz, M.A. 2004 Weight of ginger (Zingiber officinale) planting setts on sprouting and yield. Proc. Caribbean Food Crops Society 40:59 (Abstract).
- Beale, A.J. 2003. Type and weight of planting material on yam (Dioscorea alata) cv. Diamante yield in southern Puerto Rico. Proc. Caribbean Food Crops Society 39 (2):210 (Abstract)
- Beale, A.J. 2002. Yam (Dioscorea alata) management in southern Puerto Rico. Proc. Caribbean Food Crops Society 38: (Poster)
- Beale, A.J., Gonzalez, A., Flores, C. and Munoz, M.A. 2005. Effect of sprouted vs. non-sprouted yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) cv. Black Guinea seed setts on yield on an Ultisol in Puerto Rico. Presentation at Caribbean Food Crops Society, 41st Annual Meeting in Guadeloupe.
- Valle, J., Munoz, M.A., Flores, C. and Beale, A.J. 2004. Efecto de niveles de nitrogeno en el crecimiento y produccion del jengibre (Zingiber officinale) en un suelo Coto. MS. Thesis, UPR/Mayaguez.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Two field experiments and two greenhouse experiments were conducted at Gurabo and Corozal Substations to evaluate the effect of size of planting material on ginger and yam yield. The field experiment conducted at Gurabo Substation included six size treatments of ginger planting material: 14-28 g, 29-43 g, 44-57 g, 58-85 g, 86-114 and 115-128 g. The highest yields were obtained with planting material weighing 115-128 g and 86-114 g. The 115-128 g treatment yielded 19.6 t ha-1; the 86-114 g treatment yielded 14.7 t ha-1. In the yam experiment, the highest yields were obtained with planting material in the range of 127-156 g and 99-126 g. These treatments yielded 20.8 and 20.2 t ha-1, respectively. The effect of planting material size on yield was also evaluated under greenhouse conditions. In the greenhouse experiment, the highest ginger yields were obtained with planting material in the ranges of 58-85 g, 86-114 g and 115-128 g.
Impacts
Size of planting material determines growth development and yield of root crops. The selection of the most appropriate size of planting material will ensure the farmers better yield and a fast and efficient development of the crop.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Two ginger field experiments were established at the Corozal and Isabela Agricultural Experiment Substations, and one greenhouse experiment at the Gurabo Agricultural Experiment Substation. Adverse weather caused the loss of the Corozal field experiments. New genetic material was received in December 2004 from CARDI, Dominica Virgin Island, to establish germplasm comparison with local material at two localities in the central-mountain and coastal zones of the island. Preliminary results: The time from planting to harvest differed in the two experiments. At Corozal Substation harvesting was performed at the tenth month after planting, whereas at Isabela the cycle was shorter, harvesting at eight months. No phenotypical differences have been observed in local rhizome germplasm. Screening for pests and diseases has been performed and identification of specimens collected is in progress. Fertilization trials (granular and fertigation) are under the second year of
evaluation. Preliminary results are the superior yield obtained on a Coto clay at Isabela Substation with the application of 180 kg/ha of nitrogen by fertigation and the superior yield obtained in an Ultisol clay at Corozal Substation with two applications of 30 g/plant of a granular fertilizer formula 8-8-12. In the plans are ongoing studies on N and K rates in a separate experiment for a third year at Isabela and Corozal.
Impacts
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a crop of great potential for the export market and an alternative for small farmers throughout the Caribbean region. In Puerto Rico it is a minor crop, concentrated mostly in the mountain region; however, its production can be extended to other regions and microclimates within the island and thus increase its availability for the export market.
Publications
- Flores, C.A.; M. A. Munoz, A.Beale, A. Gonzalez and J. A. Valle. 2004. Phenology and Field Performance of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in The North-West Central Zone of Puerto Rico. CFCS Presentation 2004 Valle, J. A. M. A. Munoz and C. A. Flores. 2004. Ginger response to nitrogen fertilization on a Coto clay. SOPCA Presentation 2004
- Valle, J. A. M. Munoz y C. Flores. 2003. Avances en la investigacion de fertilizacion de jengibre en el suelo Coto, SOPCA Presentation 2003 Alberto J. Beale. 2003. Type and Weight of Planning Material on Yam (Dioscorea alata) cv. Diamante Yield in Southern Puerto Rico. CFCS Presentation 2003
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