SPROUTING PERCENTAGE AND GROWTH ENHANCEMENT OF HAWAIIAN GINGER (Zingiber officinale) RHIZOME TREATED WITH VARIOUS BIO-INOCULANTS

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of bio-inoculants, specifically Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Azospirillum, in overcoming the physiological dormancy and uneven sprouting of Hawaiian ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Quirino Province. The primary purpose is to establish a sustainable biological protocol that enhances early stage vigor and provides a cost effective, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers. By utilizing a controlled experimental design, the research tested 135 rhizome setts planted in a 1:1 garden soil and coco-peat medium to determine sprouting percentage, assess growth parameters including shoot length, leaf number, rhizome circumference, and biomass and calculate the Cost-Benefit Ratio of each treatment. Results at 35 days indicated that while vertical growth was statistically limited by the plant's reliance on internal nutrient reserves, numerical trends favored the bio-inoculant groups. Specifically, AMF demonstrated superior root proliferation and rhizome circumference, providing a resilient physiological foundation for field survival. Meanwhile, Azospirillum emerged as the most economically efficient treatment with a Marginal Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.83. The study concludes that although the initial 35 days window is a heterotrophic lag phase, microbial interventions significantly improve long term crop resilience and sustainability. This research is highly significant for the agricultural community of Quirino as it aligns local practices with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 12, and 15), offering a Climate-Smart framework that protects soil integrity while potentially uplifting the socio-economic status of small scale farmers through improved resource efficiency.

Keywords: Zingiber officinale, Bio-inoculants, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Azospirillum, Nursery Establishment, Quirino Province, Sustainable Agriculture.