Influence of rhizome size on the vegetative cycle of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) grown in Daloa, CÔte d'Ivoire

In Côte d'Ivoire, ginger production is limited to small areas. Moreover, the production system does not follow any technical itinerary. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of rhizome size on vegetative cycle of ginger. It is being conducted with a view to developing an appropriate technical itinerary and ideal number of buds on rhizome for growers. Ginger collected in the Zoukougbeu department (Côte d'Ivoire) was used for this study. Four rhizome sizes, namely R1 (rhizome with one bud), R2 (rhizome with two buds), R3 (rhizome with three buds) and R4 (rhizome with four buds) were sown in a complete randomised block design with three replications. Statistical analysis showed that the number of buds on the rhizome had no effect on germination time. However, rhizomes of size R3 and R4 showed a better profile of the germination rate. Development was weakly influenced by the number of buds on the rhizome. In terms of agro-morphological characteristics, rhizome sizes R3 and R4 gave the best growth parameters. Ginger can be regenerated with three-bud rhizomes (rhizome sizes R3). Ginger growers are faced with the problem of using more than half their production as seed for the next crop. This study, the first one in Côte d’Ivoire, provides a solution (using three-bud rhizomes) and enables growers to reduce the cost of crop’s establishment, thereby increasing their income.