Development of In-vitro Protocol to Enhance Mass Multiplication and Acclimatization of Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia Roxb)

Curcuma caesia Roxb., commonly known as black turmeric, faces challenges due to low propagation rates and difficulties in acclimatization. This study aims to develop an efficient in-vitro protocol to enhance the mass multiplication and successful acclimatization of black turmeric. In this study, ½MS medium with varying concentrations of BAP alone and in combinations with NAA was used for shoot induction from rhizome bud explants. The highest shoot induction of 57.77% with a mean number of 6.66 ± 0.88 shoots per explant, was observed with ½MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mgl^-1 BAP. For shoot multiplication and elongation, explants were transferred to MS medium with different combinations of BAP, NAA, and Kinetin, achieving maximum shoot multiplication of 37.75% and elongation of 4 to 5 cm with 4.0 mgl^-1 BAP and 1.5 mgl^-1 NAA. Root induction was successfully initiated on MS medium fortified with IAA and IBA, with the highest root number of 8.35 ± 0.34 and length of 6.66 ± 0.35 cm observed in 0.5 mgl^-1 IAA. After root induction, plantlets were acclimatized using a pot mixture of soil, sand, compost, cocopeat, and vermicompost in a 1:1:1 ratio, achieving an 86.66% survival rate in the Cocopeat: vermicompost: soil mixture.