Effects of plant growth regulators and explant type on the in vitro micro-propagation of wild ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweif.) B.L. Burt.)
E. N. Kunene, T. O. Oseni, P. K. Wahome, M. T. Masarirambi, M. J. McCubbin, P. S. Dlamini, S. A. Sihlongonyane and M. G. ZwaneAdvancement in Medicinal Plant Research
Published: October 23 2018
Volume 6, Issue 4
Pages 54-63
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30918/AMPR.64.18.023
Abstract
Wild ginger is a medicinal plant which belongs to Zingeberaceae family. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of coughs, colds, flu, malaria and menstrual disorders. However, the plant is at the verge of extinction due to unsustainable harvesting practices. The objective of this study was to develop in vitro micro-propagation protocol for the wild ginger. The MS media with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg L-1 BAP, 2.0 mg L-1 BAP + 0.5 mg L-1 NAA, and 2.0 mg L-1 BAP + 1.0 mg L-1 NAA, were evaluated on leaf, corm and root explants for in vitro shoot regeneration via direct organogenesis. In vitro rooting was investigated on half strength MS medium augmented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg L-1 NAA. Corm explants were significantly more effective in direct shoot regeneration in vitro than the leaf and root explants which neither regenerated shoots nor formed callus. The 1.0 mg L-1 BAP produced shoots which were significantly higher in number and longer than those from other treatments. However, there was no significant difference between 1.0 and 0.5 mg L-1 BAP. There was also no significant difference between the PGR-free MS medium and 0.5 mg L-1 BAP. No shoots were observed on 2.0 mg L-1 BAP, and on either of the combination of BAP and NAA. The half strength MS medium was effective on in vitro rooting, with no significant differences among the NAA concentrations on rooting percentage, number of roots and root length. From the results of this trial, it can be recommended that corm explants be used for direct shoot regeneration of wild ginger in vitro, with BAP of up to 1.0 mg L-1, and be rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with NAA of up to 2.0 mg L-1.
Keywords: Wild ginger, medicinal plant, BAP, NAA, shoot regeneration, direct organogenesis, biodiversity.
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