A tropical and subtropical Asian genus called Alpinia is used for both
horticultural and medicinal purposes. Species having ornamental uses are now
distributed widely all over the world. Different species of Alpinia are widely used in
traditional medicine for treating many diseases. Several Alpinia species have now been
experimentally demonstrated to have medicinal properties. Excess trade of many
species of Alpinia, such as A. calcarata, A. galanga etc., as well as habitat loss and
urbanization demands its mass propagation. Therefore, one of the best methods for its
mass propagation and conservation is micropropagation. In vitro studies of medicinal
taxa such as A. calcarata, and A. galanga and ornamental species such as A. purpurata
has been well established. Different in vitro approaches such as direct organogenesis,
callogenesis and indirect organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis (SEs), and
multiplication using inflorescence buds were generally tried for the successful
micrpropagation of different species of Alpinia. Genetic and phytochemical fidelities of
the in vitro raised plants were also studied in many instances to enhance the
commercial use of it.
Keywords: Alpinia calcarata, A. galanga, A. purpurata, A. zerumbet, Alpinia malaccensis, Callus, Clonal Propagation, Explant, Genetic Fidelity, Hormones, In vitro Propagation, Meristemoids, Organogenesis, Plant Growth Regulators, Rhizome Buds, Somatic Embryogenesis.
