SHOOT EMERGENCE OF GINGER (ZINGIBER-OFFICINALE ROSC.) AS AFFECTED BY TIME OF LIFTING, STORAGE, SIZE, AND TYPE OF PLANTING PIECES

Dormancy, as indicated by shoot emergence, was shown to exist in ginge r (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) rhizome pieces lifted on 5 August 1992 b ut to be substantially diminished in ginger lifted by 3 September 1992 in southern Queensland. Storage for 7 days on open trays increased sh oot number and shoot dry mass relative to 1 day storage. Storage for 1 4 days also increased shoot number but reduced leaf area. Second-order pieces produced more shoots than third- and fourth-order pieces. Plan ting pieces of 20-30 g produced fewer shoots than 40- to 50-g and 60- to 70-g pieces. While there are several contributors to poor shoot eme rgence, dormancy appears to be the main cause in the period to early A ugust. Pre-plant desiccation for 7 days may be a means of improving sh oot emergence in ginger planted up to this time. Further trials are be ing conducted to test this hypothesis.