Domestic production of ginger is increasing, as it is used in a variety of culinary and medicinal applications due to its unique flavor and potential health benefits. However, some growing parameters, such as growing media and fertigation levels, have not yet been optimized for containerized production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and rhizome yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale) using different soilless substrates and nutrient levels under greenhouse conditions. Two separate experiments were conducted, each lasting six months. In Experiment 1, six substrates were evaluated: 100% coir (control), 100% peat, peat-bark mixtures at 75%-25%, 50%-50%, and 25%-75%, and 100% bark. In this setup, 1-2 sprouted ginger rhizomes were transplanted into each 12 L nursery container and harvested after 3 and 6 months of transplanting. In Experiment 2, five nitrogen-based nutrient levels (50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 ppm N) were evaluated. In this setup, 1-2 sprouted ginger rhizomes were transplanted into grow bags filled with coconut coir pith and husk chips. In both experiments, treatments were arranged as completely randomized design with six replicates. Physical growth parameters, such as the number of stems, relative chlorophyll content, number of roots, unemerged buds, and fresh and dry weight of stems, roots, and new rhizomes, were measured. According to the data from Experiment 1, no significant differences were observed among the substrates, except for the fresh and dry weight of stems and the dry weight of roots at mid-harvest in the peat-bark 25%-75% combination. In contrast, nutrient level significantly influenced all ginger growth parameters except chlorophyll content. Ginger grew well under low nutrient levels (50 to 100 ppm N). The overall growth differences between 50 and 500 ppm N ranged from 6% to 68%. For example, the fresh and dry weight of new rhizomes were 65.7% and 49.1% greater at the 50 ppm N nutrient level, respectively. The results demonstrated that ginger plants prefer well-draining substrates with low nutrient levels under controlled-environment production.
