Efficient plant regeneration in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) through somatic embryogenesis

An efficient protocol for the induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) from the inner core region of rhizome has been established. Calli developed profusely on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 9.0 μM 2,4 D and 2.3 μM Kn. When the friable calli were cultured in MS medium containing 4.4 or 8.8 μM BAP + 0.5 μM NAA, abundant embryogenic calli were obtained. The highest frequency of embryogenic calli (68%) and plantlets (86%) were obtained from MS medium containing 4.4 μM BAP and 0.5 μM NAA. Further shoot development was observed with 13.2 μM BAP + 0.5 μM NAA. In the same medium, roots also appeared, thereby eliminating an additional step of in vitro rooting. The welldeveloped plants were hardened and transferred to a mist chamber in a greenhouse with 90% survival frequency.