ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUITABLE AND REPRODUCIBLE PROTOCOL FOR IN VITRO REGENERATION OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE)

Studies were carried out to find out a suitable and standard protocol for plant regeneration of 2 exotic and 6 locally cultivated varieties of ginger viz., Fulbaria, Syedpuri, Chittagongi, Jangli, Indian, Chaina, Sherpuri and BARI ada-1 were used as explants. For callus induction, comparing the varieties, Indian (51.84%) and among the treatments, selected MS media supplemented with 1 mgL(-1) IAA + 3 mgL(-1) BAP showed the maximum number of callus (2.681). For shoot regeneration, MS media supplemented with 4 mgL(-1) BAP + 3 mgL(-1) Kn + 1 mgL(-1) IAA showed the best performance in ginger. Considering the combined effect of BAP, IAA, Kn and genotype, maximum regenerants (2.33) were found in Indian placed in selected media. In case of root induction, the root initiation potentiality was evaluated by testing on 5 different combinations of phytohormones. Among the genotypes Indian showed the best response (43.46%) on root initiation and it observed that half strength MS media supplemented with 2 mgL(-1) IBA + 2 mgL(-1) NAA was very effective. For the plant survival rate from sprout, leaf and root was about 86.67%, 80.00% and 85.71%, respectively. In case of plastic pots after the acclimatization of the plants in growth chamber whereas, in earthen pots it was 84.62%, 75.00% and 66.67% in case of Indian, Jongli and Chittagongi cultivars respectively.