High Frequency Multiple Shoot Induction of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.: Shoot Tip V/S Rhizome Disc

• Main Author: K. S. Nagesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Taiwan University 2008-09-01
• Series: Taiwania
• Subjects: Proximal rhizome disc; multiple shoot induction; Curculigo orchioides.
• Online Access: http://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/taiwania/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=777

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. is an endangered medicinal plant with anticancer properties. The rhizome and tuberous roots of the plant have been used extensively in India in indigenous medicine. Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Curculigo orchioides is constantly on the rise; however, the supply is rather erratic and inadequate. Destructive harvesting, combined with habitat destruction in the form of deforestation has aggravated the problem. The plant is now considered ‘endangered’ in its natural habitat. Therefore, the need for conservation of this plant is crucial. Here, we describe a successful protocol for multiple shoot induction of C. orchioides using shoot tip and rhizome disc. We find that proximal rhizome discs are optimal for high frequency shoot bud formation than shoot tip and distal rhizome disc. We observed a synergistic effect between 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (KN) (each at 1 mg/L) on the regeneration of shoot buds from proximal rhizome disc than shoot tip explant. Optimum root induction was achieved on half-strength MS liquid medium supplemented with 1 mg/L of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro raised plantlets were acclimatized in green house and successfully transplanted to natural condition with 90% survival.