ScienceAsia 30 (2004): 9-15 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2004.30.009

Micropropagation of Krawan
(Amomum krervanh Pierre ex Gagnep)

Wondyifraw Tefera^* and Surawit Wannakrairoj

 ABSTRACT: Krawan, one of the common spices and medicinal plants of Thailand, is conventionally propagated by vegetative means. The technique of micropropagation could be used as a possible means to overcome the problem of shortage of planting materials. Excised and surface disinfested axillary buds were cultured on plant growth regulator-free Murashige and Skoog¹ (MS) basal medium prior to culturing on MS, half-macro nutrient MS, half-nitrogen MS and Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) media. The highest rate of multiplication was obtained from MS medium. When 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% v/v coconut water (CW) were added, it was found that 5% CW was the best for shoot growth and development, i.e. shoot number, as well as fresh and dry weights. The effects of 0, 2 and 4 mg/l imazalil (IMA) were simultaneously studied in combination with 0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ). The best media for shoot growth and development was the one with 2 mg/l IMA and 0.5 mg/l TDZ. Rooting was accomplished with a relative ease using a Plant Growth Regulator (PGR)-free MS medium. The in vitro rooted plantlets could be established in the soil with more than 90 percent success after transfer to ex vitro.

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Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University, Kampaengsaen campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, Email: wondyfraw@yahoo.com

Received 27 Oct 2003, Accepted 24 Dec 2003