Augmented shelf-life and regeneration competence of activated charcoal (AC) supplemented synthetic seeds in Cymbidium pendulum (Roxb.) Sw.

A protocol for their long term storage at low temperature has been developed using synthetic seeds technology in Cymbidium pendulum (Roxb.)Sw. in present piece of work. This species is known as an important ornamental and medicinal orchid. Protocorm Like Bodies (PLBs) were used as propagules for encapsulation. They were raised on Basal M medium [1], in addition with inorganic plant growth regulators such as [Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA); Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA); 6-Benzyl amino purine (BAP); Kinetin (KN) at 1mg/l concentrations. Different combinations were compared for their efficacy in supporting large scale production of elite propagules for encapsulation. Among these NAA proved to be the best as it supported 99.5% of asymbiotic seed germination in to largest PLBs (2.2mm) with highest chlorophyll content at 2.15µg/mg. PLBs were encapsulated in 3% sodium alginate and di-hydrated salt calcium chloride (100mM). Resultant synthetic seeds were observed for their viability after different period of storage at 250C and 40C. Role of AC if added to nutrient matrix in extended storage of synthetic seeds with better conversion at mass scale has been the main focus of the study. Interestingly, AC supplemented synthetic seeds could be stored for 480 days with 10.5% conversion and showed fairly good regeneration or production of secondary PLBs.&nbsp

In vitro propagation of Dendrobium aphyllum (Orchidaceae)—seed germination to flowering

This communication describes asymbiotic seed germination, protocorm development, micropropagation and flowering in in vitro and hardened seedlings of Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C.E.C. Fischer. Effects of four culture media viz., Murashige and Skoog (MS); Phytamax (Sigma Chemical Co. USA; PM); Mitra et al. (M) and Knudson ‘C’ (KC), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), peptone and activated charcoal were studied on seed germination and protocorm development. Maximum germination (97 %) was recorded in PM basal medium. Peptone (2.0 gl−1) remarkably enhanced germination percentage (100 %), vigorous growth, high survival and subsequent development of protocorms, while in activated charcoal the response was not encouraging. BAP improved germination percentage, however, 2,4-D showed noticeably low seed germination. The morphogenetic response of protocorms and nodal segments of in vitro raised seedlings varied depending on type of explants and concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators used. Stout root system was induced in 1/2PM + 0.5 mgl−1 IAA. Approximately 10 % of the in vitro raised plants (4– 5 cm) with 3–4 leaves flowered in vitro irrespective of flowering season. The well-rooted plants showed 80 % survival under green house conditions and flowering was noticed after 5–6 months in 10 % of hardened plants

Asymbiotic germination of immature embryos of a medicinally important epiphytic orchid Acampe papillosa (Lindl.) Lindl.

The immature embryos (28 weeks after pollination) were inoculated on M (Mitra et al., 1976), and PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) media, with and without different growth additives. The seeds showed positive germination response in both the nutrient media but the frequency and onset of germination response and associated morphogenetic changes leading to seedling development varied with the nature of growth stimulus. In basal M medium, about 40.75±0.75% seeds germinated, while in basal PDA medium, 21.25±1.25% seeds reacted positively to germination (P<5%). M medium supplemented with coconut water (CW) (15%), supported early and highest germination (70.75±0.75%) and induced protocorm multiplication; complete seedlings were obtained in 131.50±1.73 days. Additional presence of activated charcoal (AC) (0.2%) in the PDA medium inhibited the seed germination, while use of CW (15%) or yeast extract (YE) (2 g/L) in the medium, favoured enhanced and early germination response and differentiation of protocorms. YE, favored development of profusely hairy protocorms formation and healthy seedlings were obtained within 176.25±1.25 days.Keywords: Acampe papillosa, immature embryos, in vitro asymbiotic germination, protocormsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(2), pp. 162-16

<i>In vitro</i> propagation and mass scale multiplication of a critically endangered epiphytic orchid, <i style="">Gastrochilus calceolaris </i>(Buch.-Ham ex J.E.Sm.) D.Don.

711-716In vitro asymbiotic seed germination potential of its immature seeds (36 weeks after pollination) of G. calceolaris was successfully tested on three different agar gelled nutrient media i.e. Murashige and Skoog (MS), Mitra et al. (M) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). Seeds germinated within 15.75±0.75 to 35.75±0.75 days in the three different media. The protocorms developed therefrom subsequently differentiated into first leaf and root primordia, and complete seedlings were obtained within 111.25±1.25 to 141.25±1.25 days on MS and M media. The protocorms, though failed to differentiate further on basal PDA medium, despite repeated subculturings, incorporation of peptone (P; 1gl-1), yeast extract (YE; 2 gl-1) and coconut water (CW; 20%) in the medium proved beneficial in inducing differentiation, in these germinating entities. Additional use of growth additives (P/YE/CW), in general, favoured better germination, protocorm formation and seedling development. The optimal nutritional combination during seed germination, protocorm growth and multiplication and seedling development was found to be CW (10%) enriched MS medium

Commercial Orchids

Orchids account for a large share of global floriculture trade both as cut flowers and as potted plants, and are estimated to comprise around 10% of international fresh cut flower trade. The average value of fresh cut orchids and buds trade during 2007-2012 was US$483 million. In 2012, there are more than 40 countries exporting orchids and 60 countries importing orchids around the world, with the total size of the global trade equaling US$ 504 million. In India, about 1350 species belonging to 186 genera represent approximately 5.98% of the world orchid flora and 6.83% of the flowering plants in India. The publication on “Commercial Orchids” is presented in 15 interesting chapters vividly highlighting the global orchid industry, bio-diversity, conservation and bio-piracy of genetic resources, morphological and molecular characterization of valuable species, breeding approaches for improved genotypes, production of quality planting materials, physiology of tropical and temperate orchids, climate change and its impact on orchid productivity, production technology of commercial epiphytic orchids for cut flower, production technology of commercial terrestrial orchids for cut flower, orchids for pot culture, hanging baskets and tree mounting, medicinal and aromatic orchids, post-harvest management of cut flowers of commercial orchids, value addition and marketing