Low-cost media for in vitro conservation of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and genetic stability assessment using RAPD markers

Abstract

Up to 73% decrease in cost of media for plant regeneration and in vitro conservation was achieved in Curcuma longa cv Prathibha by using inexpensive carbon source and gelling agent. Laboratory reagent-grade sucrose was replaced by locally available commercial sugar (market sugar or sugar cubes) as carbon source and bacteriological grade agar by isabgol (also named isubgol) as gelling agent. No adverse effects on shoot regeneration and conservation on isabgol-gelled low-cost media were observed as compared to that on agar-gelled control medium (CM). Some 33–56% cultures of C. longa survived up to 12 mo. on isabgol-gelled medium in comparison to only 16% on CM. Genetic stability of 12-month-old in vitro-conserved plants was assessed using 25 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers; no significant variation was observed in RAPD profiles of mother plants and in vitro-conserved plantlets on CM and low-cost media.