The physiology of Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. As a basis for the improvement of ornamental production

Abstract

© ISHS 2015. This review addresses the research on the physiology of Curcuma alismatifolia to improve the understanding of this plant, a tropical flower crop that has become popular as a cut flower, a potted plant and a garden plant. C. alismatifolia Gagnep., called the Siam Tulip or Patumma, is widely cultivated as an ornamental Curcuma for cut flowers and potted plants because of the attractive inflorescence with pink coma bracts and long vase life. Thailand exports more than 3 million rhizomes to the world market. The review considers its distribution (widely in Thailand and Cambodia), growth cycle, flowering physiology, diurnal photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism (including with N-sources, utilization, transports and N2fixation) and carbohydrate metabolism, which may be beneficial for the improvement of crop production.