| Abstrakt: |
Polyploids exhibit significant breeding value because of their better vegetative yields, higher agronomic characteristics, and greater tolerance to stress. The present study reports the effective in vitro induction of tetraploidy in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) cv. Himgiri using different concentrations of colchicine (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) for different durations (6 to 48 h). The 0.1% colchicine treatment for 6 h had the best outcomes, with a maximum bud survival percentage of 73.33%, which decreased with the increase in colchicine concentration and treatment periods. Shoots regenerated from buds treated with 0.2% colchicine for 24 h showed good multiplication and elongation. The lethal time (LT50) values declined as colchicine concentration increased, emphasizing its influence on the survival of treated buds over time. The maximum induction of polyploidy (50%) was achieved with 0.2% colchicine treatment for 6 and 24 h, whereas no polyploidy was induced with 0.4% colchicine treatment, which was reported to be lethal to the cells. After repeated subculturing, flow cytometric investigation indicated varied ploidy levels in regenerated shoots, with stable tetraploids. The morphological features, physiological characteristics, and biochemical compositions were evaluated, and substantial increases in plant height, leaf dimensions, tiller numbers, photosynthetic rates, and oleoresin content were observed. HPLC analysis depicted maximum gingerol content (498.36 µg g−1) in harvested rhizomes of tetraploid induced with 0.2% colchicine treatment for 24 h. Molecular analysis employing SCoT and CBDP revealed significant genomic alteration with polymorphism of 1.087% and 35.67%, respectively. The stable tetraploids developed in the present study will provide excellent resources for future ginger production and genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
