Characterization and selection of torch ginger for cut flower

Abstract

Torch ginger, Etlingera elatior, is among the most cultivated tropical flower of its genus. Its great acceptability in the market led researchers to improve production characteristics and to adapt it for commercialization. This study aimed to characterize 10 genotypes of torch ginger in order to select and recommend them as cut flower. The experiment ran from Jan 2014 to Dec 2016 in Paulista, Brazil and nine agro-morphological characteristics were evaluated to build a grading system that determined their suitability for cut flower. The IAC 26 and IAC 34 genotypes were classified as poorly suitable, for they presented fresh mass exceeding 237 g. They also presented less than 19 flower stems per clump and only one month with ≥1 floral stem produced in 2015. The genotypes IAC 1, IAC 2, IAC 3, IAC 11, IAC 13 and the cultivar IAC Prumirim were classified as suitable, although they obtained intermediate scores for most of the evaluated criteria. The genotype IAC 41 and the cultivar IAC Camburi were classified as very suitable for cut flower, beginning of flowering period at 12 months, produce 33.25 and 41.20 flower stem per clump, respectively, and present seven months with production of more than one floral stem per clump in 2016, achieving maximum scores from most of the evaluated characteristics.

Commercial Potentials and Agronomic Status of Etlingera elatior, a Promising Horticulture Plant from Zingiberaceae Family

“…Some of the cultivars show good yields, for example cultivar of Tropicas can produce 150-200 stems per plant, Thai White can yield 100-120 stems/plant, and Ironstone produced 50 stems/ plant (Hoult & Marcsik, 2000). In addition, IAC 41 and the cultivar IAC Camburi produced 33.25 and 41.20 flower stems/plant, respectively (de Araújo et al, 2018).…”

“…de Araújo et al (2018) proposed that cultivar IAC 41 and IAC Camburi were chosen as the suitable cultivars for the breeding program based on their flower appearance and vase life where 8 and 5 days were observed, respectively. On a positive note, application of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Florissant® were reported to be successful in prolonging the durability of the blooming inflorescence up to five days (Bayogan & Gratuito, 2015;Unemoto, de Faria, Takahashi, de Assis, & Lone, 2011).…”

“…Continuous improvement is needed for longterm viability, especially for the cut flower market. (de Araújo et al, 2018). Closed buds, known as "candlesticks," were harvested early for export (Marcsik, Hoult, Connelly, Lasker, & Ford, 2003).…”

“…Postharvest durability (PHD) or period acceptable floricultural plants for consumers to use varies between varieties in different countries. On average, Australia's cultivars varied between 3-10 days, Malaysia is 6 days, Latin Americas IAC 41 is 8 days, while both IAC Prumirim and IAC Camburi are 5 days (Choon, Ding, Mahmud, & Shaari, 2016;de Araújo et al, 2018;Marcsik, Hoult, Connelly, Lasker, & Ford, 2003).…”

Heliconias with pendent inflorescences as cut flowers

“…Species with pendent inflorescences have an extra high market value, but could presents packaging difficulties (Watson and Smith, 1979), due its forms and dimensions. Long and wide flowers are directly related to packaging and transportation processes, once they may be damage by scrap among bracts and impacts from the package (Araújo et al, 2018). These characteristics, in part, explain the predominant trade of heliconias with upright inflorescences compared to the species with pendent inflorescences.…”