LAUSR

Abstract The present study describes a protocol for micro-propagation, callus induction, and shoot regeneration of ginger (Zingiber officinale). The rhizomes were surface-sterilized with ethanol (70%) for 45 s, sodium hypochlorite (2.5%) for 10 min, and mercuric chloride (0.1%) for 10 min. Multiple shoots were induced from sprouting bud explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) combined with kinetin (Kin). The maximum shoot number was obtained from MS medium containing 10 mg/l BA with a mean of 20.6 shoots per explant. The leaf explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), Dicamba, or BA for callus culture. Green-red compact calli were induced using 2,4-D, Dicamba or BA. Also, BA successfully induced plant regeneration. The multiplied shoots that were transferred to the rooting medium (½MS supplemented with 0, 1 and 2 mg/l IAA, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or NAA) showed development of roots (100%). The rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing a 1:1 mixture of cocopeat and perlite, and acclimatization was successful, resulting in 85% survival of the plantlets in the greenhouse.