Micropropagation of Terrestrial Orchid Phaius Tancarvilleae (L’ Her.) Blume.

Abstract

Phaius tancarvilleae ( L’ Her.) Blume. has been listed as endangered under Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The aim of the study was to develop protocol for micropropagation of terrestrial orchid Phaius tancarvilleae ( L’ Her.) Blume. In the present investigation, in vitro seed germination and multiplication of shoot tip of Phaius tancarvilleae ( L’ Her.) Blume. was carried on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) supplemented with or without different concentration and combination of Napthaleneaceticacid and Benzylaminopurine. Among them, MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of BAP was found to be the most effective medium for seed germination, growth and development of seedlings. Germination started after 7 weeks of culture and complete seedlings were obtained after 24 weeks of culture. Shoot tip obtained from in vitro grown plants was cultured on MS medium and MS medium supplemented with different concentration and combination of NAA and BAP for their mass propagation. The maximum number of shoot multiplication was observed on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l of BAP (13.3 ± 1.92). The shoot multiplication was started after 4 weeks of culture. Rooting was observed in all media used but less number of roots were observed in MS media supplemented with BAP. The most effective condition for in vitro rooting was observed in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of NAA. The rooting was initiated after two weeks of culture. Then, the rooted plantlets were transferred for acclimatization.