Unveiling of Breeding Status and Potential of Ornamental Gingers: Alpinia Under Spotlight
摘要
Ornamental gingersOrnamental Ginger are the cluster of multiple number of genotypes principally Alpinia (Red Ginger) (Red Ginger), Etlingera elatior (Torch Ginger) (Torch Ginger), Costus (Spiked Spiralflag Ginger or Indian Head Ginger) (Indian Head Ginger), Globba (Dancing Ladies Ginger) (Dancing Ladies Ginger), Curcuma alismatifolia (Ornamental CurcumaOrnamental Curcuma or Siam Tulip) and Kaempferia (Peacock Ginger) which reside under the umbrella of taxonomic family and order ZingiberaceaeZingiberaceae and Zingiberales. Chiefly, the exotic shape and alluring bright huesBright hued inflorescence of the genotypes belong to the group i.e. ‘Ornamental Ginger’Ornamental Ginger are the key reasons of gaining importance(s) as emerging ‘specialty Tropical Cut Flowers’Cut flower. Only Red ginger, Torch Ginger and Indian Head Ginger have commercially been exploited as cut flowers while others remain at the fag end of the list. Scarcity of popularization of these unique group of ornamentals despite having magnificent size, shape and durability has restricted their enlistment under classical cut flower groups that likely led their categorization under niche cut flowerCut flower group. The mentioned factor affected meaningfully the depth of scientific research on them. Noteworthy literatures on diversified arena of breeding are available chiefly on Alpinia (Red Ginger) whereas the remaining ranked below of it. The major achievements have been obtained primarily by mutation breedingMutation breeding. Collaterally, research outputs on genetic engineering and marker-assistedMarker genes breeding had also assisted viably to add novelty to the ornamental gingersOrnamental Ginger as well as to solve their complex trajectory of genetic linkages. Significant scientific reports on employment of cutting-edge biotechnological aids like gene silencing, genome editing etc. to do value-additionValue-addition as well as upliftment of its post-harvest attributes but limited within one or two genotypes of ornamental gingerOrnamental Ginger group. Several hindrances in natural pollination including bloom’s structural complexity, self-incompatibility and pollinator related aspects meaningfully highlight further bolstering of breeding approaches in ornamental gingersOrnamental Ginger. Summarily, to utilize the ornamental potency of all the members that come under ornamental ginger group at utmost and to pave its position at global flower market, reinforcement of breeding investigations seems necessary.