Refinement of in vivo and in vitro pollination techniques in turmeric (Curcuma domestica Val.)

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Date
2001
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Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
Investigations on "Refinement of in vivo and in vitro pollination techniques in turmeric (Curcuma domestica Val.)" were carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from 1998 to 2000. The plant materials used for the study consisted of six short duration cultivars viz., VK 70, VK 55, VK 76, Suguna, Sudharsana and Suvarna and four medium duration cultivars viz., Kanthi, Sobha, Prabha and Pratibha. Studies conducted among them showed significant variability with respect to pseudostem, rhizome and quality characters. The genotypes identified for high curcumin are Sobha (7.24%), Kanthi (6.98%), VK 76 (6.31%) and Prabha (6.37%) and those identified for high curing percentage are VK 70 (22.00%), Suvama (19.17%) and VK 76 (18.02%). The investigations to improve flowering showed that the size of the seed material used influenced flowering behaviour of turmeric cultivars. The plants of short duration cultivars from T3 group (200 g) was the earliest to flower followed by T2 (45-50 g) and TJ (15-20 g). The flowering season in T3 group was extended for 85 days while it was only 48 days in TJ group and 57 days in T2 group. The flowering intensity in turmeric cultivars were significantly high in open condition (77.61%) compared to shade (26.13%). Pollen viability studies were conducted in modified ME3 medium at pH 6. Viability was low during early flowering season (18.88%) compared to mid (25.05%) and late (25.84%). The mean pollen viability in short duration cultivars was 33.51 per cent while it was low in medium duration cultivars (14.30%). The mean pollen tube growth also followed the same trend. Dry pollen grains can be stored in cyclohexane and methanol at -15°C for one month with mean pollen viability percentage of 20.18 and 20.09 respectively. Natural fruit set and seed set were observed in short duration cultivars and not noticed in medium duration cultivars. Through controlled in vivo pollination, seed set was obtained in crosses involving short duration cultivars. But failed in crosses involving short and medium duration cultivars. Seed set was not obtained through in vivo stylar and intraovarian pollination. Pollen pistil interaction studies after in vivo cross pollination of short and medium duration cultivars showed pollen germination on stigma and pollen tube passing through style and reaching the ovules. So lack of seed set can be due to some other factors. In vitro pollination was done by pollen grains suspended in the modified ME3 medium. Among the various methods of pollination tried, ovule/seed development was observed in intraovarian, placental and modified placental pollination techniques. Among them, placental pollination is the best as number of ovules developed per culture was maximum in this. These techniques can be used for conducting crosses inv.olving short and medium duration cultivars provided medium duration cultivars as female parents. The medium identified for the development of in vitro pollinated ovules are (1) Yz strength MS + 3% sucrose + BAP 1 mg r1 + kinetin 1 mg r' + NAA 0.5 mg r'. (2) Modified Yz strength MS + 3% sucrose + BAP 0.5 mg r' + kinetin 0.5 mg r' + NAA 1 mg r'. The first medium was the best for increasing the size of the ovules. The organic supplement coconut milk extract at five per cent concentration and addition of double the quantity of vitamin stock of MS medium favoured ovule development. Two hybrid seeds from the in vivo cross (VK 70 x VK 76) germinated under in vitro on moist filter paper in test tubes. They were multiplied under in vitro and six plantlets were successfully planted out in the field and the rest were multiplied further under in vitro.
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171763
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