Influence of shade regimes on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

The effect of different levels of shade on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was studied during two seasons at Coconut Research Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala. The shade levels 20 and 40 per cent were favourable for obtaining higher dry ginger yield. Volatile oil content showed an increasing trend with increasing levels of shade. Maximum NVEE was recorded in the plants grown under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. Higher starch content was observed in plants grown under 20 per cent shade level. Crude fibre content gradually reduced as the intensity of shade increased. The results indicate the possibility of utilizing existing shaded situations in coconut gardens and under other perennial crops for the production of ginger. &nbsp

Influence of shade regimes on photosynthetic rate and stomatal characters of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.)

The study conducted in the influence of shade regimes on photosynthetic rate and stomatal characters of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) indicated that the highest photosynthetic rate was in plants grown under open condition followed by plants grown at 20 to 40 per cent shade levels. Regression coefficient analysis demonstrated that photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, stomatal index and stomatal frequency significantly reduced linearly with increasing level of shade, whereas stomatal resistance increased linearly with increasing level of shade. The enhanced rhizome yield under low levels of shade (20 and 40 per cent) copared to open condition (where photosynthetic rate was maximum) may be mainly due to the higher leaf area resulted in the plants grown under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. &nbsp