IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF DENDROBIUM AND PHALAENOPSIS THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE FOR CONSERVATION

The studies were focused on developing an efficient and effective propagation protocol for orchid species from genera Dendrobioum and Phalaenopsis through tissue culture. The Materials used were explants from adventive shoot tip, floral stalk buds and PLBs derived from seeds. The results indicated growth and development of adventive shoot tip explants of Dendrobium: a high survival percentage for explant with green color was shown by D. racianum, followed by D. laxiflorum, D. pseudo-conantum, D. strebloceras, D. lineale, and D. veratrifolium. However, plantlets regeneration occurred only on D. pseudoconantum, and D. strebloceras. Explant regeneration from seed derived protocorm-like bodies on D. spectabile occurred 40 days after inoculation transfer and subculture. High survival percentage of explant from floral stalk shoot was shown by P. amabilis. There were several plantlets surviving in acclimatisation. Explant regeneration from seed derived from protocorm-like bodies on P. hieroglypha occurred 40 days after inoculation and subculture. It was suggested that for ex situ conservation on certain species of Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis in the category of rare germplasms, tissue culture could be applied effectively and efficiently by using explant from adventive shoot tip, floral stalk buds and seed derived protocorm-like body explant for vegetative seed multiplication.