PRODUCTION OF DISEASE-FREE ENCAPSULATED BUDS OF ZINGIBER-OFFICINALE ROSC

Shoot buds of ginger were successfully encapsulated in 4% sodium algin ate gel. Encapsulated buds were germinated in vitro to form roots and shoots. In vitro germination (emergence of sprouts) of encapsulated bu ds ranged from 16.7% to 81.8% on different media after 5 weeks of incu bation. Normal plantlets with an average shoot length of 2.3 cm and 1. 7 cm root length were successfully transplanted into unsterilized soil without any hardening process. These plantlets showed no symptoms of ginger yellows disease and the causal fungal pathogen failed to grow o ut on culture media (used as a diagnostic test).