In Vitro Chromosome Doubling in Korarima [Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen] Using Colchicine and Oryzalin

Abstract

Ploidy manipulation holds high promise for the improvement of korarima (Aframomum corrorima) plants with altered morphology, as well as of potentially altered essential oil yields and oil composition. The present work aimed to establish a protocol for in vitro polyploid induction of korarima. Nodal explants 2 mm long were cultured in liquid media with 0, 125, 250, 375 or 500 µM colchicine or 10, 20, 40, 60 or 80 µM oryzalin for 7 d. The lowest concentration was the most effective for polyploid induction with both colchicine and oryzalin. Teteraploid plants were obtained only from shoots regenerated from explants treated with 125 µM colchicine and 10 µM oryzalin. Oryzalin was thus confirmed to be effective at a lower concentration than colchicine.