Micropropagation of two near threatened orchid. Part 2: Phalaenopsis amabilis Blume var. Grandiflora
Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular orchids in the world, through the development of many artificial hybrids. In this research, a reliable and efficient protocol is presented for in vitro proliferation of Phalaenopsis amabilis Blume cv. Grandiflora. Protocorm like bodies (PLBs) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of kinetin (Kn; 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mg l 1) and indole 3 butyric acid (IBA; 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 mg l 1) either individually or in combination and activated charcoal (AC; 0.00, 0.50 and 1.00 g l 1) A combination of 0.20 mg l 1 IBA and 2.00 mg l 1 Kn on medium containing 1.00 g l 1 AC was found to be suitable for maximum leaf number (6.16+ 0.503 per explant) The highest rooting frequency with 7.13+ 0.153 roots per explant was achieved on medium enriched with 0.50 mg l 1 IBA and 0.50 mg l 1 Kn on medium containing 1.00 g l 1 AC. The largest number of callus (9.10+ 0.611) was induced on explants cultured in medium containing 0.20 mg l 1 IBA and 0.50 mg l 1 Kn on medium without AC. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse with a survival rate of 95% exhibiting normal developmental patterns.