Paper Details

PJB-2025-187

Effects of substrate ratios on transplantation of tissue-cultured ginger seedlings

Xiaomeng Xing, Quanlong Li, Yongzhi Gong, Zehua Li, Mengjun Huang and Yusong Jiang
Abstract

---

As the substrate for seedling growth, its physicochemical properties and nutrient composition directly affect the growth and development of plants after transplantation. However, there are few studies on the suitable substrate ratio for ginger tissue-cultured seedlings. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of different substrate ratios on the survival rate and growth of transplanted tissue-cultured seedlings of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). The garden soil, peat soil, perlite and vermiculite were used as substrates in the experiment. A total of nine groups of substrate ratio (J1-J9) were designed by using L₉(3⁴) orthogonal experimental design. The seedlings were comprehensively evaluated using physicochemical properties, nutrients content, growth status, defensive enzyme activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, combined with the method of subordinate function for multi-dimensional evaluation. Results showed that a substrate consisting of garden soil, peat soil, perlite and vermiculite at a ratio of 2:2:3:1 was in the desirable range of bulk weight (0.441 g/cm³) and total porosity (71.47%). Its water-holding capacity (130.14%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other ratios and its nutrient balance (384.02 mg/kg of available phosphorus and 63.00% of organic matter) significantly contributed to the growth rate of plant height (367.78%), leaf length (12.27 cm) and SOD activity (168.20 U/g). Furthermore, the highest transplanting survival rate and affiliation function value were observed in this substrate ratio. The study revealed that the best survival rate and growth of ginger tissue-cultured seedlings were achieved under the ratio of garden soil: peat soil: perlite: vermiculite=2:2:3:1, and this result can provide technical support for the establishment of ginger tissue-cultured seedlings multiplication technology system and the application of low-cost production

To Cite this article: Xing, X., Q. Li, Y. Gong, Z. Li, M. Huang and Y. Jiang. 2026. Effects of substrate ratios on transplantation of tissue-cultured ginger seedlings. Pak. J. Bot., 58(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-5(9)  
Download PDF