Efficient micropropagation of Dendrobium aurantiacum from shoot explant

Abstract

Embryogenic tissue culture (seed tissue culture) is a common practice in plant industry to speed up and mass production. However, the culture method is not widely adopted in most of the orchid species. Micro-size orchid seeds are difficult to obtain and collect due to ambiguous seed maturation period. Most of orchid seeds have no endosperm and highly dependent on the specific fungi for germination and survival. Micropropagation from shoot culture with meristem tissue is potentially be another alternative for mass propagation of orchid. Therefore, this study examine the potential of micropropagation technique by shoot culture in orchid, Dendrobium aurantiacum (F. Muell.) F. Muell. This study reported an effective aseptic technique to develop sterilized D. aurantiacum tissue in vitro. The callus induction and regeneration from shoot explant by utilization of different plant growth regulator had been examined in this study. Among the treatments, 20% sodium hypochlorite with 15 mins sterilization period showed the highest sterilization efficiency on explants with only 16.7±5.8% of contamination occurred after two weeks and obtained highest survival rate 73.3±5.8% after one month. Callus formed in all combinations of plant hormone treatments. Media treated with 10 mg/L 2,4-D showed the highest callus induction rate but browning condition occur after 3 months of culture. Cell count on callus proliferation showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between control and treatments. In conclusion, micropropagation of D. aurantiacum had been shortened almost 9-12 months required for nature germination.