Influence of spacing of planting and light in the development of torch ginger

Abstract

The tropical plants, besides have already been adapated worm regions in Brazil, can present potencial for cultivation on the southwest region, were the weather is more could. Thus, it was evaluated the Etlingera elatior development when cultivated in different light conditions and spacing of planting. Rhizomes from the cultivars Red Torch and Porcelain were planted in full sun and 50% shading, in two spacings: 2 x 2 and 2 x 1 m. The plants were evaluated observing the survival index, number of shoots per plant, shoot height, number of leaves per shoots, the inflorescences sizes, besides of the anatomical studies. The cultivation of the Torch Ginger during a period of low temperatures and humidity caused the death of the rhizomes from Red Torch cultivar and a slow shooting and growth of the plants from the cultivar Porcelain. For both cultivars, plants grown in full sun present the highest number of shoots, however, the maximum height and number of leaves were observed in plants grown under the shade. Plants grown in full sun produced the highest number of inflorescences, however, only the inflorescences from plants grown under the shading mesh and spaced 2 x 1 m showed characteristics appropriate for commercialization. Analyzing the anatomical characteristics, for both cultivars, the higher stomatal density, in both faces, adaxial as abaxial sides of leaves, leaf thickness and DP/DE ratio were observed in plants cultivated at 2 x 1 m.