No abstract

No abstract

Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome and reportedly harbors medicinal properties. The powder and essential oil of the rhizome of the herb has potential use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This important wild turmeric species has also been declared as endangered. Conservation and propagation of the black turmeric species by in vitro techniques is of high importance. The present study was conducted to develop an efficient protocol for mass propagation and conservation of Curcuma caesia collected from northern part of West Bengal. Bud from rhizomes as explants was cultured on full strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium for 19 days. For multiplication purpose, the explants were transferred either in MS medium supplemented with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and IAA or Kinetin (KIN) with BAP for 56 days. MS medium supplemented with a combination of BAP 2.0 mg/L and IAA 0.75 mg/L gave the highest number (four) of shoots. MS medium supplemented with a combination of 2.0 mg/L IBA gave the highest number (twelve) of roots after 28 days. Healthy and complete plants with well-developed roots were hardened, acclimatized and planted in the field successfully with a survival rate of 70%. 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D showed the best result of callus induction for 83 days. K e y w o r d s

No abstract

No abstract