turmeric question(s)

This is the 2nd year I've grown turmeric (and ginger) in central western Pennsylvania. The pic I'll upload of some turmeric has a bunch of what looks like little pearl onions at the very bottom of some of the roots. I don't recall seeing them on last years small, but worthy crop. Can anyone tell me exactly what those are? And I'm wondering if they'll sprout a new plant if I pot them inside over the winter. Thanks!

I haven't grown turmeric so I can't be sure though those look like nitrogen-fixing nodules.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_nodule

Thanks Anne... I googled 'images of nitrogen fixing nodules' and everything I saw, or have seen in the past shows the nodules attached along the sides of roots, not the end as these are. I'm not saying they aren't, just never seen them like that.

Those are called nodulose roots. The ‘lumps’ are formed at the end of some of the roots.

I’ve never tried eating them myself, nor have I come across any information about others eating them. But I don’t see any reason why not to.  Now you’ve got me curious. Do the taste the same, different, better, or worse?

I just harvested my ginger crop. Thanks for posting, I’ll be adding turmeric next spring.

the fact that some of the nodules at the end of long roots in the picture seem to have eventually colored up to a good yellow makes it seem that the white ones were late season additions that didn’t quite make it all the way. su ba, you’re pretty sure that those are non-reproductive roots? if they would grow tops they look like they’d be a nice way to multiply your plants out for next year…

I potted a couple up just for grins. I ate one and they are slightly sweet and starchy with little to no turmeric flavor. They lack almost any color so the benefits of curcumin are likely nil.

You nailed it Su Ba!
Nodulose Roots
Modifications of Adventitious roots- Nodulose Roots
Nodulose roots are the modification of adventitious roots which are swollen at the apex or tips. They possess a characteristic shape.
Example- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

The root of the root...... after cleaning and freezing most of my 3 lb. turmeric crop, I was stymied as to what to do with all of the roots. It seemed to me that as with most medicinal types of rooty plants that there must be some worth to all of the roots of the root. So I cleaned them up best as I could and have them all stewing up in a big pot. My intention, until I learn otherwise, is to use the brew as a tea or base of a veggie stock. I googled this very question but all hits were relevant to using the root itself. I didn't see anything pertaining to anything otherwise. Can anyone see any fault in my plan to use the rest of the roots?

This was the bulk of my (young) turmeric harvest from 2 plants that I started in mid March. It weighed in at just a bit over 2 lbs. I'm going to need to start earlier next time around. But I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Yes you can eat the nodules but, they won’t grow into new plants.