Rapid in vitro Micropropagation of Alpinia officinarum Hance, An Important Medicinal Plant, Through Rhizome Bud Explants

An efficient multiple shoot has been developed for the medicinal plant Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae) using rhizome buds as explants. Multiple shoots originated when the rhizome buds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. Optimum shoot multiplication was observed on MS medium containing 3% (W/V) sucrose and 3.0 mg L-1 kinetin (Kn) and 1.0 mg L-1 Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA). Each rhizome bud gave rise to an average of 11 shoots per explant. Rooting experiments with half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium revealed that 0.5 mg L-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was more suitable for root induction when compared to IAA and NAA. Healthy in vitro rooting plantlets were transferred to pots containing a mixture of vermiculite and soil (1:1) for acclimatization for a period of three-four weeks and 93% of plantlets survived under field conditions.