Micropropagation of an Indian Ginger (Curcuma vamana Sabu and Mangaly): A Wild Relative of Turmeric

Curcuma vamana Sabu and Mangaly, a wild relative of turmeric, is endemic to Kerala and its germplasm deserves special conservation measures. A micropropagation protocol has been outlined for the production of complete plantlets within 85 days. Nodal segments isolated from stoloniferous rhizomes achieved 60% bud break within 20 days. These explants responded in BAP (1.0 mg L-1) supplemented medium with the sprouting of 1-3 shoots in 6-7 weeks of incubation. In vitro shoots obtained from primary cultures were used for further studies to minimise collection from the small wild populations of C. vamana. Efficient shoot multiplication has been obtained from in vitro shoot explants using thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest rate of shoot production was found in 0.5 mg L-1 TDZ which produced 9.6 shoots. Rhizogenesis was observed along with collagenesis in all treatments. Effect of various nutrient formulations was also compared. The best shoot multiplication response has been observed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium followed by Nitsch, Woody Plant (WPM), Gamborg (B5) and White’s formulations. MS medium recorded about five-fold increase in the rate of shoot multiplication compared to that of the least responding medium under identical culture conditions. The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the greenhouse condition with 90% survival.