Study of ‘Red Torch’ and ‘Pink Torch’ Cultivars of Torch Ginger in Brazilian Cerrado

Aims: To characterize the development, yield, and morphological characteristics of the ‘Red torch’ and ‘Pink torch’ cultivars of torch ginger cultivated in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Study design: The experiment was performed using two cultivars (‘Red torch’ and ‘Pink torch’) with three replications of three ginger torch clumps per plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Germplasm Active Bank of Ornamental Tropical Plants of the State University of Mato Grosso (14°08′38′′S, 57°03′45′′W; altitude of 488 m), Brazil, from August 2015 to July 2018.

Methodology: At monthly intervals during the first 10 months after planting, we assessed clump development, based on the measurement of the area occupied by the clump, and number of tillers emerging from the clump. The monthly yield per hectare was estimated from August 2016 to July 2018. During this period, the average number of floral stems produced per clump was determined, and the floral stems were characterized during the second year, for stem length, stem diameter, inflorescence length, inflorescence diameter, and fresh stem mass. Evaluations were based on the measurements obtained from 10 stems per clump.

Results: First-year clump expansion rates for 'Red torch' and 'Pink torch' were 4.00 and 7.90 cm2, respectively. 'Pink torch' presented a higher monthly average of tiller emergence than 'Red torch', and consequently higher productivity. The cultivars produced floral stems of commercial standard in the second year of growth, with stem lengths and diameters greater than 60.00 cm and 10.00 mm, respectively. In this study, we found that ‘Red torch’ and ‘Pink torch’ showed high yields and produce inflorescences with characteristics suitable for commercialization.

Conclusion: The basis of this study, we can conclude that cultivation of torch ginger in the Brazilian Cerrado would be viable.