Abstract
Profitable turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) production requires adequate nutrients. We have investigated the effect of inoculation with arbus cular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, nutrient uptake, yield and curcumin production of turmeric under field and glasshouse conditions. Although AMF inoculation slightly increased plant height, leaf number and shoot N content, no statistical differences were observed in vegetative growth parameters, biomass production, nutrient uptake and curcumin content compared to control plants under field conditions. It was difficult to determine the exact effect of inoculated AMF on turmeric growth because of indigenous AMF. On the other hand, turmeric showed better response to AMF inoculation under greenhouse conditions. AMF inoculation resulted in higher biomass production and nutrient uptake of turmeric. Moreover the concen tration of curcumin, contained in the rhizome of turmeric, increased in AMF treatment. These results indicate that AMF inoculation has beneficial effects on turmeric growth and curcumin production. AMF inoculation to turmeric field would be effective when indigenous soil populations of AMF are low or native AMF are no longer effective.
Highlights
Curcuma longa L. belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, commonly known as turmeric, is an economically important plant cropped for its variety of uses such as condiment, dye, drug and cosmetic
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation had no effects on curcumin concentration and content of rhizome
Corn, which was cultivated as preceding crop, is known to increase the population of indigenous AMF well
Summary
Curcuma longa L. belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, commonly known as turmeric, is an economically important plant cropped for its variety of uses such as condiment, dye, drug and cosmetic. Curcumin, which is active yellow pigment found in turmeric rhizome, has been known as a natural antioxidant with antitumor activity [1], an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism [2], and a good antiinflammatory agent [3]. It was evaluated as a chemopreventive agent by the National Cancer Institute [4]. Japan imports around 4000 tons of dried turmeric per year from India, China and other Asian countries. Turmeric growing area was limited in Okinawa islands and part of subtropical regions previously, it has been expanding gradually further to other regions in Japan
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