The importance of back shoots as a source of photoassimilates for growth and flower production inDendrobiumcv. Jashika Pink (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

SummaryThe contribution of back shoots as a source of photosynthates for growth and flower production in Dendrobium cv. Jashika Pink has been studied using the 14CO2 dosing technique. The leaves of Dendrobium back shoots were active in photosynthesis and translocation of 14C-assimilates. Highest fixation rate, in terms of total 14C-assimilates recovered, was observed in the basal leaf of Dendrobium cv. Jashika Pink plants with an inflorescence and an active vegetative shoot. The test leaf on the back shoots supplied significantly more 14C-assimilates to another shoot bearing an inflorescence than to the other plant parts within the back shoot itself. The inflorescence on the current shoot obtained 14C-assimilates from both the leaves of current shoot and back shoots. The relation of this highly integrated pattern of partitioning of assimilates within multiple shoots is discussed in view of the potential improvement for the harvestable yield of sympodial orchids.