Abstract
In nature, orchid seed germination is obligatory following infection by mycorrhizal fungi, which supplies the developing embryo with water, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, causing the seeds to germinate relatively slowly and at a low germination rate. The nonsymbiotic germination of orchid seeds found in 1922 is applicable toin vitropropagation. The success of seed germinationin vitrois influenced by supplementation with organic compounds. Here, we review the scientific literature in terms of the contents and role of organic supplements in promoting seed germination, protocorm development, and seedling growth in orchids. We systematically collected information from scientific literature databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, as well as published books and conference proceedings. Various organic compounds, i.e., coconut water (CW), peptone (P), banana homogenate (BH), potato homogenate (PH), chitosan (CHT), tomato juice (TJ), and yeast extract (YE), can promote seed germination and growth and development of various orchids. They also stimulate seedling development, formation of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs), plantlet growth, and multiple shoot formation. The addition of organic compounds to culture media, individually or in combination, accelerates seed germination and seedling development. Different types and concentrations of organic nutrients are needed for the success ofin vitrocultures, depending on the species and genotype.
Highlights
Orchids, member of the Orchidaceae, are one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants, consisting of 763 genera and more than 28,000 accepted species [1]
Mature seeds depend on compatible mycorrhizal fungi for germination and early development [6, 7]. erefore, in vitro orchid seed germination is a crucial aspect in propagation and conservation programs
It is often added to culture media containing auxin for the rapid induction of propagation and cell growth. e use of coconut water (CW) in tissue culture was first attempted by Van Overbeek et al [64, 65], who reported that adding it to the culture medium was essential for the development of young Datura stramonium embryos
Summary
Member of the Orchidaceae, are one of the largest and most diverse families of flowering plants, consisting of 763 genera and more than 28,000 accepted species [1]. Seeds cultured in vitro can develop into complete seedlings without the aid of fungi, which is a suitable approach for commercial orchid production [8,9,10,11,12]. Is technique was known as “asymbiotic seed germination” because it did not involve mycorrhizal fungi. In 1922, Knudson [13] successfully developed a method to stimulate protocorm production in orchids by culturing the seeds in vitro and sprinkling them on sterile nutrient media plus sucrose.
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