Phenetic and genetic characterization of selected economically important species in the family Zingiberaceae

Abstract

Zingiberaceae, includes medicinally and economically important monocotyledons mostly distributed in South and South East Asia. A complete taxonomic knowledge of this plant group in Sri Lanka is lacking hence the present study was carried out to characterize and infer phenetic and genetic relationships of eight economically important zingibers. Morphological and anatomical characters of leaves, rhizomes and adventitious roots and phenolic characters of leaves were cluster analysed using MINITAB 17 to derive relationships. A phylogram was obtained from MEGA software using rDNA ITS sequences amplified by PCR from leaf genomic DNA. Costus speciosus was used as the out group in the phylogenetic study. As per the principal component analysis plant height, rhizome diameter, length of rhizome internodes, leaf length, leaf width and length of leaf petiole can be recommended as suitable for characterization of these taxa. rDNA ITS regions may well be used for Zingiber and Curcuma species identification. Combination of morphological, anatomical and phenolic characters can be used in delimiting commonly used Z. officinale cultivars and Curcuma species in Sri Lanka. Further, derived genetic relationships of these taxa would provide better information in characterization of commonly used Zingiber cultivars, Curcuma and Alpinia species in Sri Lanka at the initial developmental stages and would support in quality improvement breeding programs.

Distribution, variation, and relationship of Curcuma soloensis Valeton in Java, Indonesia based on morphological characters

“…Due to unclear boundaries between members of Curcuma, it has been recommended to realign species within genus Curcuma (Kress 2002), which in a way minimize misidentification of C. soloensis, allow conservation of C. soloensis and proper certification and registration of new cultivars. Building strong taxonomic evidence and their assessment through phenetic and phylogenetic approaches are known to clarify taxonomic boundaries (Backer and van den Brink 1968;Silva et al 2018), which would be helpful in solving identification problems with C. soloensis.…”

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Support for the Traditional Uses of Zingiberacea Species in Suriname - A Review of the Literature

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the common ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe are well-known spices, condiments, and flavoring compounds. 3 And the leaves and flowers from C. longa, the grains of paradise Aframomum melegueta K. Schum., the white ginger Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig, and the east-Indian galangal Kaempferia galanga L. are consumed as vegetables and used as key ingredients of spicy savory dishes and/or herbal teas.

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“…3Various species in the genera Alpinia Roxb., 1810, Curcuma L., Globba L., Hedychium J. Koenig, Kaempferia L., and Renealmia L.f. have visually attractive flowers and inflorescences and are cultivated as ornamentals. 3 The rhizomes from many species in the genera Alpinia Roxb., 1810, Curcuma L., Hedychium J. Koenig, and Zingiber Mill., 1754 contain essential oils for producing soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes. 3 In addition, a number of ginger species are medicinally used in various traditional systems throughout the world.…”