The selection of resistant mutants of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose. cv. Himgiri) against wilt pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi Trujillo) through somaclonal variations using live cultures of the pathogen was attempted. The rhizome buds used as explants were surface sterilized and subjected for organogenesis. Creamish yellow and friable calli were obtained on MS medium supplemented with different combinations of2,4-D and BA, respectively. Further, the calli were subjected to selection pressure using spore suspension of pathogen. Many Petriplates developed brown coloured pigmentation, a natural characteristic of many Fusarium species. The pathogen was able to kill the calli, which turned brown within 45 days, however, three calli still survived on selective medium. The resistant plantlets so developed are to be further tested for the per cent somaclonal variants, their stability and respective bioassays studies. The selection of somaclonal variations appearing in the regenerated plants may be genetically stable and could be useful in various ginger crop improvement programmes.
In vitro selection, wilt, Zingiber officinale, Fusarium oxysporum
