Abstract

Axillary bud explants of Etingera elatior were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium, supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinin (BAP) or auxin (IAA) as plant growth regulators. The addition of 22.2 µM BAP to the MS medium produced the highest mean number of shoots (3.67) per explants as compared to other concentrations. The best shoots length (4.20 cm) was obtained from the medium containing 26.6 µM of BAP. For in vitro rooting of shoot, MS medium supplemented with 11.4 µM IAA produced the highest number of root, whereas 34.2 µM IAA gave the longest roots in the medium. The proliferated shoots were green and healthy in appearance. The Plantlets with well developed roots were hardened, acclimatized and planted out successfully with a survival rate of 75%.

Key words: Etlingera elatior, axillary bud, medicinal plant, micro propagation, plant growth regulator, Zingiberaceae.