Vegetative growth of red ginger (Zingiber officinale rubrum) in response to young coconut water concentration and soaking duration

Agronomy Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia

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Abstract

Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) is a high-value medicinal plant widely used in the pharmaceutical and herbal industries. However, its cultivation is often constrained by slow and non-uniform early growth resulting from variable rhizome quality and suboptimal pre-planting treatments. Young coconut water contains bioactive compounds that may promote germination and vegetative development; however, its optimal concentration and soaking duration for red ginger propagation remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of young coconut water concentration and soaking duration on the early vegetative growth of red ginger. The experiment was conducted using a factorial randomized block design (5 × 2) with three replications. The first factor consisted of young coconut water concentrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), while the second factor was soaking duration (12 and 24 h). Observed parameters included sprouting time, number of shoots, leaf number, and biomass accumulation. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at the 5% significance level. The results showed that young coconut water significantly affected several early growth parameters of red ginger. A 50% concentration provided the best overall response, as indicated by higher leaf number and biomass accumulation, whereas a 75% concentration promoted faster shoot emergence and a greater number of shoots. A soaking duration of 12 h was more effective than 24 h in improving growth performance. The interaction between a 50% concentration and a 12-h soaking duration resulted in the most favorable overall growth response. These findings indicate that young coconut water has potential as a natural growth-promoting substance for enhancing the early growth of red ginger.