IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF EPIDENDRUM RADICANS OF WESTERN GHATS.

pidendrum is the largest genus of orchids with about 1500 species, many of which occur in great abundance in the tropics. These sympodial orchids have long, lasting showy flowers which are used commercially as cut flowers and potted plants. A rapid in vitro seed germination technique is described here. VW media supplemented with various concentrations of auxins and cytokinins were used in combination for asymbiotic seed germination and plantlet formation. In the evaluation of the media, VW medium supplemented with 0.5 mg BAP, 5 mg NAA and 150 ml CM was found to be suitable for plantlet formation. Further hormonal concentrations of auxins and cytokinins were evaluated for minimal and optimal levels in the medium. In the optimization process for phytohormones, a low concentration of 0.5 mg BAP/L-1 with 5 mg NAA/L-1 was found to be more suitable for plantlets and multiple plantlets. In vitro rooting was successful with VW medium supplemented with 0.5 mg BAP, 2 mg NAA, 150 ml CM and 500 mg AC. Ex vitro rooting was most successful with VW media supplemented with 2 mg BAP, 5 mg NAA and 150 ml CM. Hardened plants were transferred to green house after ex vitro rooting technique. Significance of the present work is discussed here. Abbreviations:- VW-Vacin and Went, BAP ? Benzyl Amino Purine, NAA?Naphthalene Acetic Acid, IAA?Indole Acetic Acid, CM?Coconut Milk, AC ? Activated charcoal. - See more at: