Encapsulation and Regeneration of Aseptic Shoot Buds of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

In vitro non-embryonic vegetative propagule shoot buds excised from the vegetative bud of turmeric variety Suguna (Curcuma longa L.) cultured on LSBM supplemented with BAP (4 mgl-1 ) were encapsulated in two types of hydrogels such as Sodium alginate and Carboxyl methyl cellulose containing Linsmaier and Skoog s nutrients (1965) with BAP (4 mg/l ) separately to study their effect on encapsulation. It was observed that in the present study among the encapsulating agents tried, 4% Sodium alginate containing LS nutrients with BAP (4 mg/l) dipped in 50 mM Calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution and incubated for 30 mins in orbital shaker was found to be the best matrix and complexing agent respectively for encapsulation and regeneration of in vitro shoot buds when compared to Carboxy methyl cellulose. These synthetic seeds were stored at 4�C for a period of 1-6 months to study their viability. The plants regenerated from the encapsulated shoot buds were hardened and transferred to the field. This technology can be adopted for ex situ germplasm conservation of high yielding varieties of turmeric.