Abstract

This study was conducted to develop an efficient protocol for mass propagation ofZingiber zerumbet Smith. Explants from rhizome buds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone (0 to 5 mg/l) or a combination of BAP (0 to 5 mg/l) and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) (0 to 2 mg/l). MS medium supplemented with a combination of 5.0 mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l IAA or 3.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l IAA produced the highest mean number of shoots (5.6) per explant as compared to other concentrations. The best shoots length (9.44 cm) was obtained on the medium containing 1.0 mg/l of BAP and 2.0 mg/l IAA. Thus, combined effects of BAP and IAA improved significantly the shoot growth and proliferation. MS medium supplemented with a combination of 5.0 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l IAA gave the highest number of roots (17). However, longest roots per explant were obtained with 1.0 mg/l BAP alone. The proliferated shoots were green and healthy in appearance. Finally, healthy and complete plants with well developed roots were hardened, acclimatized and planted in the field successfully with a survival rate of 80%.

Key words: Zingiber zerumbet, shoot multiplication, micropropagation, in vitro, acclimatization, medicinal plants, Zingiberaceae.

Abbreviation

BAP, 6-Benzylaminopurine; IAA, indole 3-acetic acid; MS,Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium.