Effect of nitrogen supply on nitrogen and carbohydrate constituent accumulation in rhizomes and storage roots of Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep.

• Main Authors: Norikuni Ohtake, Soraya Ruamrungsri, Sayuri Ito, Kuni Sueyoshi, Takuji Ohyama, Pimchai Apavatjrut
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=33751231134&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/61418
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Curcuma (Curcuma alismatifolia cv. Gagnep.), a tropical flowering plant known as "Siam tulip", were cultivated in a pot with vermiculite and supplied with different levels of nitrogen (N). Rhizomes with storage roots were harvested at 215 days after planting. Results indicated that a high level of N supply increased flower numbers and promoted continuous new rhizome formation, but storage root growth was depressed. The N supply to the plants increased the N concentrations both in the rhizomes and in the storage roots. The predominant nitrogenous compounds related to total N increase were proteins in the rhizomes. The N of the insoluble fraction of 80% ethanol or the N of the soluble fraction of 10% trichloroacetic acid was the predominant fraction of N that accumulated in the storage roots. A lack of N supply increased the starch concentration both in the rhizomes and in the storage roots. These results suggested that a high level of N supply to the curcuma plant increased new rhizome formation because of increased flower numbers, but depressed new storage root formation because of reduced starch accumulation. © 2006 Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.