Optimum Nutrient Level on Growth, Flowering, and Rhizome Production inCurcuma

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of liquid fertilizer treatments on growth, flowering, leaf mineral content, and rhizome production during forcing of Curcuma alismatifolia 'Chiang Mai Pink' and C. thorelii 'Chiang Mai Snow'. Plants were irrigated with 200 mL of 1.3 g L −1 of 15 nitrogen (N) -7 phosphorus (P) -14 potassium (K) water soluble fertilizer at 0, 1.3, 2.7, 4.0, 5.3, or 6.6 g L −1 weekly. Days to flower, flower stem length, and leaf length were recorded, the mineral contents in leaves were analyzed, and the number of rhizomes with tuberous roots were recorded at harvest. Flowering of the first inflorescence in both C. alismatifolia 'Chiang Mai Pink' and C. thorelii 'Chiang Mai Snow' was significantly delayed when plants received 6.6 g L −1 fertilizer as compared to the control plants. The number of rhizomes with more than 4 tuberous roots was highest when plants received 2.7 g L −1 fertilizer. No medium-sized rhizomes with more than seven tuberous roots were produced when 'Chiang Mai Pink' plants received 0, 4.0, 5.3, and 6.6 g L −1 fertilizer. Based on the production of rhizomes with four to six tuberous roots, optimum concentration of 15N -7P -14K water soluble fertilizer is 2.7 g L −1 for C. alismatifolia 'Chiang Mai Pink' and 1.3 to 4.0 g L −1 for C. thorelii 'Chiang Mai Snow'. Although high boron content occurred only in the outer part of the second leaf when fertilizer concentrations were increased, leaf-margin burn (LMB) symptoms were not observed in both species and this could not be related to the production of rhizomes.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on development, flowering, and mineral nutrition of potted Costus productus Gleason ex Maas

“…Our results showed, however, that C. productus plants did respond to nitrogen fertilization already during its first year of cultivation, presenting higher means under 4.8 g N plant ¡1 . Also, Lee, Lee, and Suh (2008) found flowering delay for Curcuma thorelli "Chiang Mai Snow" but not for C. alismatifolia "Chiang Mai Pink" under the same nitrogen dose of 6.6 g L ¡1 , which confirms different responses from distinct species. The authors also had fewer inflorescences from both species under that same dose, reaching a higher number when C. alismatifolia plants were submitted to 2.7 g N L ¡1 , and C. thorelli from 1.3 to 4.0 g N L ¡1 , some of the lowest tested doses.…”

“…Furthermore, Natale et al (2006) also achieved nitrogen positive effects on S and Ca contents, while Camargo, Mello, and Carmello (2008) found that further nitrogen fertilization increased its own content in Aster ericoides stems, even when cultivated in highly fertile soil. Also, Smith, Elliott, and Bridgen (1998) and Lee, Lee, and Suh (2008) found an increase in N contents in leaves of Alstroemeria flower stems and Curcuma spp., respectively, with N supply. Figure 3.…”