Breeding and cultivation techniques of a new variety Curcuma alismatifolia cv. Hongguanyin

Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. originates from Thailand, is one of the most popular ornamental plant in the world owing to strange pattern, long lasting flowering time, high heat resistance. However, the pink flowers of C. alismatifolia are not very bright. A red mutant of C. alismatifolia was found from the plants regenerated by tissue culture in field planting. The red mutant was reproduced and planted in large-scale in field in 2005-2010 and shown its steady characters, which had examined and approved as a new variety, the name of C. alismatifolia cv. Hongguanyin by Agriculture Department of Guangdong Province. Compared with the parent, C. alismatifolia cv. Hongguanyin has higher ornamental value and more suitable for planting as cut-flower in field in south China.