Improving pollen viability of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) by application of boron and zinc and its impact on rhizome yield

Abstract: Ginger production is hindered by lack of high quality seeds due to seed-borne pests and rhizome disease. Therefore, ginger true seed (GTS) is considered as one of the potential alternatives to solve the problem. However, GTS production is constrained because lack of flowering and low pollen viability. This research aimed to improve pollen viability by applying boron and zinc and study its impact on yield. This study was arranged in randomized complete block design with two factors and four replications. The first factor was dosage of boron at 0, 2, 4 kg ha^-1 and zinc at 0, 1, 2 kg ha^-1. Boron and zinc were applied once a week for three weeks started at one week after generative bud appearance. Parameters observed were plant growth (plant height, numbers of tillers, stem diameter and number of leaves) and pollen viability. The dosages of boron and zinc had no significant effect on plant growth parameters. Boron at 2 kg ha^-1 improved pollen viability up to 275% compared to control. Cross pollination using pollen from boron treated plants resulted in delaying flower fall. Existence of flowers had no effect on rhizome formation.