In vitro regeneration and acclimatization of plants of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in a hydroponic system

A methodology for the in vitro propagation of Curcuma longa through indirect organogenesis was developed. The vegetative shoots of the rhizomes grown aseptically in a MS culture medium were used to obtain the plantlets. The dedifferentiation and formation of calluses was achieved using explants of the basal part of the stem of the plantlets developed in vitro in the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic (1.5 mg L-1) and Benzyl aminopurine (0.2 mg L-1). The combination of indole-3-acetic acid and Kinetin, promoted the induction of shoot tips and roots and the formation of new plants, which made the transfer of the cultures to another culture medium unnecessary to induce organogenesis. For the ex vitro acclimatization of the plants, a hydroponic system was used. This system allowed the adaptation of plants to the gradual decrease of the relative humidity conditions. The plants had a high percentage of survival and continuous growth for six weeks, in which the plants were developed completely.