Production, Yield and Quality of Alpinia purpurata (Vieillard) K. Schumann in Tabasco, Mexico

There is a lack of basic information about tropical cut flower production systems in Latin America. To
know basic aspects of quality, yield and production of Ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is necessary to plan
its management along its productive chain (production, harvest, postharvest, packing, transport and
distribution processes). In this chapter we are reporting the Red and Pink Ginger production in three
plantings of three municipalities of Tabasco, Mexico throughout a year. Also, we are reporting the
yield and quality of Red Ginger associated to Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) and Red cedar
(Cedrela odorata L.) trees. The hypothesis of the second report was that the shade of Mahogany and
Red cedar affects differently the yield and quality of floral stems. Regarding to the first report, the
planting at Comalcalco had the highest production of Red and Pink Ginger stems and flowers per
clump. In the plantings of Comalcalco and Centro the production of commercial flowers was
concentrated in May; in Teapa it was concentrated in June. Regarding to the second report, quality of
commercial floral stems was different between Ginger plants associated to Mahogany or Red cedar,
but the yield was similar, i.e. the hypothesis was accepted.