Biotechnology and Ginger Plant

This study was carried out in Plant Biotechnology Department, National Research Centre and Natural Resources Department, Institute of African Research and Studies, Cairo University, Egypt during the period from 2008 to 2010. The study includes application of plant biotechnology techniques on ginger plant (Zingiber officinale). The results revealed that in vitro propagation method was developed using fresh rhizome sprouting buds. Explants cultured on MS medium with 4.5 mg/l BAP resulted highest rate of shoot multiplication. Shootlets were rooted on half strength B5 medium with 1.0 mg/l NAA. In vitro plantlets were transplanted in the green house and their survival was 80-100%. Moreover, callus was induced from young leaves MS medium with 3 mg/l 2,4-D. and for shootlets regeneration, callus was subcultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg/l BAP. Moreover, microrhizomes were induced in vitro shootlets upon transferred to MS medium with 9 mg/l BAP and 60-90 g/l sucrose under 16-h photoperiod within 10 weeks of cultivation. The DNA finger prints and SDS-PAGE markers showed high similarity between in vitro and in vivo materials. Moreover, The HPLC analysis showed a pure single peak of 6-gingerol