ABSTRACT

Micropropagation is the true-to-type propagation of a selected genotype using in vitro culture techniques. Curcuma karnatakensis is a small herb endemic to Karnataka and belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. C. karnatakensis, with its small distribution area in Karnataka, is prone to any kind of threat that could lead to species extinction, hence tissue culture technique is proposed as a conservation measure for rapid propagation and ex situ conservation. An attempt was made to grow C. karnatakensis on MS culture with different growth regulators like benzyl adenine, kinetin, indole butyric acid and naphthalene acetic acid at different concentrations (1,2,3,4,5 μg mL-1) and (0.5,1,1.5 µg mL-1) and in different proportion using rhizome sprouts as ex- plant. The best result was obtained in benzyl adenine and indole butyric acid at ratio 4:1 and in kinetin and indole butyric acid at ratio 3:1. The secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activity from micro propagated plant was compared with naturally grown plant.