In vitro mineral nutrition of Curcuma longa L. affects production of volatile compounds in rhizomes after transfer to the greenhouse

Abstract

BackgroundTurmeric is a rich source of bioactive compounds useful in both medicine and cuisine. Mineral concentrations effects (PO43−, Ca2+, Mg2+, and KNO3) were tested during in vitro rhizome development on the ex vitro content of volatile constituents in rhizomes after 6 months in the greenhouse. A response surface method (D-optimal criteria) was repeated in both high and low-input fertilizer treatments. Control plants were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, acclimatized in the greenhouse and grown in the field. The volatile constituents were investigated by GC-MS.ResultsThe total content of volatiles was affected by fertilizer treatments, and in vitro treatment with Ca2+ and KNO3; but PO43− and Mg2+ had no significant effect. The content was higher in the high-input fertilizer treatments (49.7 ± 9 mg/g DM) with 4 mM Ca2+, 60 mM KNO3 and 5 mM NH4+, than the low-input fertilizer (26.6 ± 9 mg/g DM), and the MS control (15.28 ± 2.7 mg/g DM; 3 mM Ca2+, 20 mM K+, 39 mM NO3−, 20 mM NH4+, 1.25 mM PO43−, and 1.5 mM Mg2+). The interaction of Ca2+ with KNO3 affected curcumenol isomer I and II, germacrone, isocurcumenol, and β-elemenone content. Increasing in vitro phosphate concentration to 6.25 mM increased ex vitro neocurdione and methenolone contents.ConclusionThese results show that minerals in the in vitro bioreactor medium during rhizome development affected biosynthesis of turmeric volatile components after transfer to the greenhouse six months later. The multi-factor design identified 1) nutrient regulation of specific components within unique phytochemical profile for Curcuma longa L. clone 35–1 and 2) the varied phytochemical profiles were maintained with integrity during the greenhouse growth in high fertility conditions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-018-1345-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mineral Fertilizers Improves the Quality of Turmeric and Soil

“…The appropriate combination and effective doses of essential elements can positively improve the yield and quality of turmeric [18]. Improving plant macronutrients and micronutrients through the application of mineral fertilizers combined with macro and micronutrients appears as the best and sustainable approach to promote the yield and nutrient contents in C. longa L. [20][21][22].…”

“…Soils deficient in active nutrients may negatively impact the quality and effectiveness of medicinal plants [19]. Improving plant nutrition will improve the quantity and quality of turmeric [20][21][22].…”

Curcuma longa L. Rhizome Essential Oil from Extraction to Its Agri-Food Applications. A Review

“…Furthermore, a prior treatment with minerals during in vitro rhizome development followed by a fertilizer treatment in a greenhouse increases the percentage of volatiles in C. longa rhizomes. Particularly remarkable is the interaction of KNO 3 and Ca 2+ , which favours the accumulation of sesquiterpenes in turmeric rhizome [ 168 ]. An interesting research proposed the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi instead of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of C. longa rhizomes.…”

System nutrient dynamics in orchards: a research roadmap for nutrient management in apple and kiwifruit. A review

“…Depending on the system or chemical compound, fertilizer inputs can result in increased or decreased quantities of plant secondary metabolites (Gershenzon 1984;Jamieson et al 2017). These changes to plant chemical signals may be in the form of altered ratios of volatile compounds, cessation of some compounds emitted, or the production of new compounds (El-Hawaz et al 2018;Gouinguené and Turlings 2002). Meta-analyses show that N inputs decrease foliar concentrations of carbon-based plant secondary compounds and increase several measures of insect herbivore performance including development time, biomass and growth rates (Koricheva et al 1998;Li et al 2016).…”