Micropropagation of Cymbidium Elegans Lindl. (Orchidaceae).

Abstract

Cymbidium elegansLindl. is a special orchid because of its long lasting beautifulcolour range characteristics and especially used for horticultural purposes. It is listedas rare and critically Endangered Species (CITES, Appendix II).The present study was carried out to find out the in vitromass propagation ofC.elegansLindl. by using MS (Murashinge and Skoog medium 1962) and MS mediumsupplemented with growth regulators. In vitro development and differentiation ofsingle protocorm like bodies (PLBs) was studied either on hormone free medium oron MS medium supplemented with growth hormones. MS medium supplementedwith BAP (1 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l) was most ideal condition for multiplication ofplantlets from single protocorm segment. Callus induction was vigorous from PLBssegment on MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.5 mg/l). The shoot tip and roottip explants obtained from in vitrogrown seedling ofC. elegansLindl. was culturedin MS basal media and MS medium supplemented with various combinations of BAPand NAA.The maximum number of healthy shoots was reported in MS mediumsupplemented with BAP (1 mg/l ) and NAA (0.5 mg/l ) i.e. 6.75 shoots /culture within16 weeks of culture of shoot tip explant.In the investigation of the organogenesis from root tips, it wasfound that MS mediumsupplemented with BAP (1 mg/l) was appropriate medium for the regeneration fromroot tip culture, i.e. 3 shoots/culture within 24 weeks of culture of root tip explant. Forrooting of in vitromultipled shoots, MS medium supplemented with IBA, IAA andNAA in the range of 0.5 mg/l to 2 mg/l in concentration were used. MS mediumsupplemented with IBA (0.5 mg/l) was most ideal condition for the development ofmaximum number of healthy roots i.e 3.25 roots/culture within 12 weeks of cultureofrooting of shoot explant. In vitro propagated plantlets were subjected toacclimatization in clay pot containing cocopeat and moss.