In vitro microrhizome production in Zingiber officinale Rosc

Microrhizomes of Zingiber officinale were successfully produced from tissue culture derived shoots by transferring them to liquid MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP, 2 mg/l calcium pantothenate, 0.2 mg/l GA(3) and 0.05 mg/l NAA for shoot prolife ion. After 4 weeks of incubation, the medium was replaced with microrhizome induction medium, consisting of MS salts supplemented with 8 mg/l BAP and 75 g/l sucrose. Microrhizome formation started after 20 d of incubation in stationary cultures at 25+1 degrees C in the dark. Microrhizomes with 1-4 buds and weighing 73.8 to 459 mg each were harvested after 50-60 d. After storage for 2 months in moist sand at room temperature, 80%, of the microrhizomes sprouted producing roots and shoots.