Curcuma alismatifolia. I. Plant morphology and the effect of tuberous root number on flowering date and yield of inflorescences

A. Hagiladi, N. Umiel, Z. Gilad, X. H. Yang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Curcuma alismatifolia (Zingiberaceae) is a relatively new cut flower crop that is becoming a favorite on the international market. In addition to its attractive aerial part, it has unique geophylic parts consisting of a rhizome and several tuberous egg-shaped root ends (t-roots). The t-roots make up about 85% of the total fresh weight and 70% of the total dry weight of a typical propagule (one rhizome + 5-6 t-roots). In this study we determined the relationship between the number of t-roots per propagule, flowering date and yield of inflorescences. The experiments were conducted in greenhouses in the Jordan and Jezreel Valleys in Israel, from March 20 to October 26, 1993. Propagules bearing 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 t-roots were planted in Styrofoam trays containing a mixture of peatmoss and volcanic tuff (7/3, v/v). In the Jezreel Valley, propagules bearing fewer than 2 t-roots flowered later than those with 2 or more t-roots. There were no significant differences in the number of days from planting to flowering among plants originating from propagules with 2-5 t-roots. Both the scape length and number of inflorescences per plant were correlated with the number of t-roots on the propagule. Similar results were obtained in the Jordan Valley, with the exception that plants started flowering about 40 days earlier than those in the Jezreel Valley, possibly due to higher prevailing temperatures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationActa Horticulturae
PublisherInternational Society for Horticultural Science
Pages747-753
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9789066058194
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1997
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameActa Horticulturae
Volume430
ISSN (Print)0567-7572

Keywords

  • Cut flower
  • Geophyte
  • Morphology
  • Rhizome
  • Zingiberaceae

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