INFLUENCE OF IN VITRO CULTURE MEDIUM ON EPIDENDRUM RADICANS SEED GERMINATION, SEEDLING GROWTH AND EX VITRO ESTABLISHMENT

Abstract

In vitro propagation of Epidendrum radicans (E. ibaguense) by seed, and the ability for ex vitro acclimatization and establishment of the seedlings was studied in this work. Liquid and agar-solidified (8 g l -1 ) MS and VW media enriched with 1 mg l -1 NAA, 1 mg l -1 BA and 15% coconut milk were compared. Two experiments were carried out, one with sparse (50 seeds/vase) and another with dense (∼250 seeds/vase) sowing. Liquid media compared to solid gave much longer seedlings, as well as higher percentage of protocorm like bodies (PLBs) and branched seedlings. High percentage of the responded seeds formed PLBs in liquid VW. In the case of dense plating, liquid MS gave more vigorous seedlings and the seedlings grown on liquid MS were established ex vitro at a much higher percentage. After germination, activated charcoal addition (2 g l -1 ) to the growing medium increased ex vitro establishment of those seedlings grown on liquid and solid VW and on solid MS medium.