One-step in vitro protocol for clonal propagation of Dendrobium Yuki White, a high value ornamental orchid hybrid

Abstract

A novel and accelerated one-step protocol for complete in vitro mass propagation of Dendrobium Yuki White was optimized for the first time. Rapid shoot-root initiation and multiplication was simultaneously achieved from apical shoot segment explants on Murashige and Skoog basal medium fortified with 0.5 mg L−1 N6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.1 mg L−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid, along with 40 mg L−1 adenine sulphate as an additive. Maximum number of shoots per explant (12) was obtained within eight weeks of culture. Maximum number of root induction (17) and elongation (6.5 cm) were recorded within this period. On the other hand, the matrix plot, network plot, and principal component analyses illustrated the association of auxin-cytokinin and the multiple growth attributes under study. In a simple acclimatization procedure, involving primary acclimatization in charcoal blocks for six weeks, and followed by a combination of coconut fibre and charcoal (1:1; v v−1) with intermittent water spraying ensured 97% survival rate in the next ten weeks. Based on the comprehensive information developed in this study, this protocol should be of immense importance for large-scale production of planting materials as well as for exploring the possible comparative roles of the auxin-cytokinin combinations used in this study.