Horticultural Studies (HortiS) 2005, Vol 22, Num, 2     (Pages: 1-9)

GROWING AND PLANT CHARACTERISTICS OF GINGER (Zingiber officinale Roscoe )

Hacer KAPLAN 1

1 Batı Akdeniz Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü, 07100 /ANTALYA Viewed : 1508 - Downloaded : 749 Medicinal plants have rapidly substituted of the synthetic compounds in nowadays because they are easily obtained and cheaper. Additionally, synthetic compounds have generally only one influence and many side effects. Although Turkey is natural growing place of many plant species, it is also appropriate area for growing many foreing-originated medicinal plants which have economic value and wide usage area. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe ) is a perennial herbaceous plant from Zingiberaceae family. It can reach to 100 cm length and has reed appearence. It can generally spread till 1500 m altitude in tropical regions. However, sub-tropic regions also are suitable place for growing of this plant. There are many medicinal characteristics of ginger. Some of them are: Ginger has preventive effect against to cancer since it stops the activity of Epstein-Barr virus. Also, its 6-gingerol and 6-paradol compounds are efficacious for promyelocytic-leukemia cancer. Because of its anti-imflomatuar effect, it is effectual for arthritis and headache. It has preventive characteristic of bacterium formation. Additionally, it is used for nausea, contractions and feverish children. Apart from all these medicinal characteristics, it has a big potential due to its wide usage area in spices, powder and candy industry. It is planted to row spaces in cacao, coconut and citrus orchards as a shadow plant in the countries in which ginger is grown. Taking into consideration of rapid increase in establisment of pomegranate and citrus orchards in Antalya region, ginger can be considered as a good intermediate plant. Keywords : Ginger(Zingiber officinale Roscoe),Growing