Assessment of genetic stability of micropropagated plants of Curcuma longa L. by cytophotometry and RAPD analyses

Abstract

was developed for in vitro propagation of an elite genotype of Curcuma longa (cv Roma) using axillary buds from unsprouted rhizomes. The explant produced multiple shoots when cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with varying combinations and concentrations of Benzyladenine, Kinetin,α Napthalene, Acetic acid, Indole-3- acetic acid and Adenine sulphate. Medium containing BA (3mg/l) was found to be optimum for micropropagation and conservation of C. longa plantlets. The genetic stability of the micropropagated clones was evaluated over 26 months in culture using cytophotometry and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Cytophotometry analysis revealed unimodal DNA distribution with 4C peak and RAPD analysis revealed monomorphic bands in all in vitro grown plants of C. longa, thus confirming genetic uniformity among somaclones of C. longa. This study is of high significance as these cultures are currently being used as source of disease free planting material for commercial utilization.