In vitro regeneration of pathogen free Kaempferia galanga L. - a rare medicinal plant

Abstract

Kaempferia galanga L. is an aromatic and medicinal herb of the family Zingeberaceae.The plant is propagated through rhizomes for which various pathogens are transmittedthrough it. Conventional breeding methods are ineffective for producing disease free cropbut in vitro regeneration can serve the purpose. Direct in vitro regeneration using shoot budsin Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with various concentrations and combinationsof cytokinin were used for regeneration. The sprouts responded within 3-4 weeks. Maximumnumber of plantlets were observed in the media supplemented with 4 mg/L BAP (4.33shoots/explant) when different cytokinins were used alone. Combinations of BAP andkinetin produced better results. Maximum regeneration was observed in mediasupplemented with 3 mg/l BAP + 4 mg/l kinetin (6.52). Decline in the rate of regenerationwere observed after 1st or 2nd subcultures depending upon the plant growth regulator/s.Rooting followed shooting in all the hormone combinations. High survival percentage wasobserved on hardening. The regenerated plantlets were detected to be pathogen free.