This study explored the impact of sodium azide (NaN3) treatment on red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) ‘Jahira-2,’ a variety known for high yield but low 6-gingerol content. NaN3 application sought to increase genetic variability, tested at four concentrations (0, 100, 300, and 500 mg l-1) on rhizomes, before growing in polybags. After initial treatment and harvest, replanting the M1V1 rhizomes continued to produce the second generation (M1V2). Six months after planting proceeded to morphological and rhizome characteristics’ assessment, with the 6-gingerol content measured nine months after planting using a TLC (thin-layer chromatography) scanner. Genetic analysis using RAPD with 10 primers confirmed variations among mutants, with the NaN3 treatment enhancing 6-gingerol content. A significant correlation occurred between rhizome yield and morphological traits. The principal component analysis identified 11 components, with four (eigenvalue >1) accounting for 82.83% of the total variability. Heatmap analysis clustered nine mutants, revealing distinct genetic variations. Phylogenetic analysis grouped M1V2 mutants into three clusters with a 0.62 similarity coefficient, indicating enhanced genetic diversity. These findings underscore the potential of NaN3 treatment in breeding programs to enhance red ginger’s genetic diversity and phytochemical profile.
Cluster analysis, genetic variability, M1V2 generation, morphological traits, NaN3, red ginger (Z. officinale var. rubrum), rhizome yield, 6-gingerol content
The NaN3 treatment increased the 6-gingerol content in the red ginger (Z. officinale var. rubrum) mutants.