Clonal Micropropation of Patumma (Currcuma slismatifolia Gagnep)

Abstract

Patumma is a new ornamental crop with high demand for export. The species is now vulnerable to extinction. Cloning methology is therefore needed to produce plants for export and to conserve the germplasm. Young inflorescence and rhizome could be used as source of the lateral bud explant. The rhizome had to be air-dried for a week before used. Pre-treatment in 52^oC water for 5-10 minutes greatly reduced the bacterial contamination. Plantlets were multiplied on modified MS media with 0, 6.67, 13.32, 19.98 and 26.64 µmol.l.^-1 benzyladenine (BA) or 0.19 0.56, 1.67 and 5.0 µmol.l.^-1 kinetin. The maximum multiplication rate of 4.83 folds was obtained when longitudinally divided rhizome was cultured on the medium with 13.32 mmol.l.^-1 BA. The result also showed that wild-collected and selected clones responded to the media similarly. When the media modified with 13.32, 15.54, 17.76 and 19.98 µmol.l.^-1 BA in combination with 15, 30 and 45 g.l.^-1 sucrose were tested, the multiplication rate of plantlets were all the same.