Morphological characterization and gamma irradiation effect on plant growth of Curcuma heyneana Val & Zijp

Curcuma heyneana or temu giring is mainly popular for medicinal and beauty purposes; however due to its attractive inflorescence, it is potential for ornamental plant. This study aims to describe morphological characteristics and examine gamma irradiation effect on plant growth of C. heyneana. The method applied was acute gamma irradiation, with 6 doses of 0 Gy (control), 10 Gy, 20 Gy, 30 Gy, 40 Gy, and 50 Gy; 3 replications, 15 rhizomes per replication. C. heyneana is characterized as a perennial herb; rhizomes light yellow; leaves lanceolate to oblong; inflorescence on separate shoot; bracts white to green in lower part, pale to dark pink with dark tip in upper part; flowers yellow with yellow labellum. It is potential for landscape, pot and cut flowers. Irradiation treatment has been shown to affect the plant growth. The radiosensitivity test has indicated that LD20 and LD50 were approximately 40 Gy and 67.15 Gy, respectively. The lower doses of 10 - 20 Gy stimulated plant height and leaf number. The higher doses of 40 - 50 Gy stimulated shoots multiplication and stunted growth. High frequency of leaf mutations was noted; with spectrum including leaf deformation, apex splitted, narrowed, stiffed, wrinkled, twisted, and variegation.