Changes in Growth Characteristics and Curcuminoid Contents of Turmeric Cultivated Using Mother and Finger Seed Rhizomes of Different Sizes

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics, root yield and curcuminoid content of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), cultivated using mother seed rhizomes (MR) and finger seed rhizome (FR) of different sizes. MR are attached to the stem, and FR are connected to the MR, and are used as a general seed rhizome.BR Methods and Results: Seed rhizomes of different types and sizes were used: large, medium and small for FR, and large, half-sized, and small for MR. These were assigned to the experimental groups and cultivated under greenhouse conditions. The growth characteristics, root yield, and curcuminoid content did not show clear difference between MR and FR, but suggest that the larger seed rhizomes (above 30 g) could have higher root yields. On average, harvested mother rhizomes (HMR) contained more curcuminoid than harvested finger rhizomes (HFR), while the yield of HFR was higher than that of HMR. The higher weight of harvested roots correlated significantly with elevated curcuminoid content.BR Conclusions: The two seed rhizomes, MR and FR, did not differ in root yield and curcuminoid contents, but larger seed rhizomes may produce better root yields. This suggest that the optimum seed rhizome is larger FR, to produce higher yields and quality in turmeric root production.