Vol. 10, Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
Dr. Deeksha Raj N, Dr. BN Sathyanarayana, Dr. Jadegowda Madegowda, Dr. P Venkatesha Murthy, Dr. Balakrishna Gowda, Dr. AS Devakumar, Dr. Veena S Anil and Praveen L Bennur

Abstract:
Dendrobium is a slow-growing epiphytic orchid and the third largest genus in the Orchidaceae family. Though an orchid plant produces thousands of micro seeds owing to low level of mycorrhizal interactions, most of the seeds fail to grow out into plantlets. The present study was aimed at standardizing a protocol for culturing micro seeds of Dendrobium ovatum to obtain plantlets asymbiotically. Emergence of Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) and their conversion into young plantlets was found the best in half-strength MS semi-solid media. PLBs formation was found earliest (20 days after culture) on MS half-strength semi-solid medium as compared to Lindeman media. Addition of 15 per cent coconut water (CW) to the media further accelerated the production of plantlets within 15 days of culture initiation. Among the different BAP treatments, half MS + 2 mg L^-1 BAP + NAA (0.5 mg L^-1) + 15% CW produced 9.20 shoots per explant, shoot length of 4.20 cm and the number of leaves was 6.40 at 90 days after culture. It can be inferred that addition of 15 per cent coconut water in the media is well suited for the mass multiplication of Dendrobium ovatum orchid and it further accelerate the morphological traits such as shoot length and number of leaves due to stimulative effect of growth regulator content leading to high-quality plantlets production.