Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration in Zingiber officinale - Variety Varada

A protocol has been developed for achieving somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from pseudostem derived callus of Zingiber officinale variety Varada. Pseudostem explants from axenic plants of ginger induced profuse creamish white compact callus on Murashige and Skoog�s Basal Medium (MSBM) fortified with 2,4-D (9.04 �M). After 2-3 passage of subculture on Linsmaier and Skoog�s Basal Medium (LSBM) fortified with BAP (22.2 �M) and 2, 4-D (9.04 �M) the callus organized into embryogenic lump, which produced numerous globular embryos. These globular embryos differentiated into mature embryos on the same medium in the subsequent sub-cultures. The 76% of the mature somatic embryos converted into plantlets when transferred to LSBM fortified with BAP (17.76 �M). These axenic plants were hardened and successfully established in the field with 62% survival frequency. Histological studies confirm the formation of plantlets from somatic embryoids.