TECHNIQUES OF IN VITRO PROPAGATION FOR SNT.HB.18.01 AMOMUM (Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu.)

Abstract

Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu, a member of the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae), is a high-value medicinal non-timber forest product that generates significant income for mountain communities, particularly those living near forests. In recent years, market demand for purple Amomum fruit has steadily increased, drawing the attention of scientists, organizations, businesses, and local authorities across the country toward variety selection and development of growing areas. In 2018, the Research Institute of Non-Timber Forest Products developed and selected a new high-yielding, high-quality Purple Amomum (SNT.HB.18.01). However, the development of cultivation areas remains limited because current propagation methods for the SNT.HB.18.01 is primarily seed propagation or rhizome - result in low multiplication rates, inconsistent yield and quality, and rapid degeneration. One solution to address these challenges is to continue refining the rapid propagation process for purple Amomum using in vitro culture techniques to support cultivation efforts. The research results demonstrate several positive outcomes and superior efficiency compared to previously published studies on the in vitro propagation of the purple Amomum. Key findings include: a clean, shoot-sprouting explant rate of 81.1% following sterilization with 10% Ca(ClO)₂ solution for 10 minutes; a maximum of 6.17 shoots per explant using an improved shoot multiplication medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/litre BAP; and a rooting rate of 97.78% with an average of 6.24 roots per plantlet using an improved rooting medium supplemented with 0.75 mg/litre IBA. In vitro plantlets underwent a 15-day acclimatization process before being transplanted into containers and nurtured in a nursery under 75% shade for the first 15 days, achieving a high survival rate of 95.56%. The application of these techniques facilitates the efficient mass propagation of the purple Amomum variety SNT.HB.18.01 for production purposes.