Atcha Boonprasert

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L. cv. Trang 1), a high-value cultivar known for its elevated curcuminoid and volatile oil content, holds significant potential in pharmaceutical and food applications. However, its commercial propagation is constrained by low rhizome productivity and the limitations of conventional vegetative propagation. This study aimed to improve the propagation efficiency of turmeric cv. Trang 1 by developing optimized protocols for explant sterilization, shoot proliferation, root induction, and acclimatization. Sprouted rhizome buds were sterilized and cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various plant growth regulators, including cytokinins (benzyladenine [BA], thidiazuron [TDZ], and meta-topolin [mT]) and auxins (indole-3-butyric acid [IBA] and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid [NAA]). The shoot induction (4.60 ± 1.47 shoots per explant) and shoot height (2.34 ± 0.61 cm) were observed on the MS medium with 3.0 mg/L BA, while the TDZ, at 0.5 mg/L, also induced a high number of shoots (5.22 ± 0.64). When using single shoots derived from bud explants, mT at 1.5 mg/L significantly enhanced the shoot formation. For the root induction, 2.0 mg/L IBA yielded the highest number of roots (7.33 ± 1.49), while NAA was less effective. The plantlets acclimatized in a 1:1 soil and peat moss mixture showed the highest survival rate (86.67%). This improved protocol enables the efficient production of turmeric plantlets, supporting commercial deployment.