TITLE:
In-Vitro Micropropagation and Acclimatization of an Endangered Native Orchid Using Organic Supplements
AUTHORS:
Douglas De Stefano, Bárbara Nogueira Souza Costa, Jason Downing, Esmaeil Fallahi, Amir Ali Khoddamzadeh
KEYWORDS:
Tissue Culture, Native Orchid, Plant Growth Hormones, Climate Change, Epidendrum nocturnum
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
22,
2022
ABSTRACT: In-vitro propagation is a technique that provides a vital solution for the
conservation of endangered orchid species. The media used in tissue culture can
be modified through the addition of inexpensive organic materials as an
alternative to expensive synthetic additives. Some organic sources, such as
coconut water and fruit juice, contain significant amounts of vitamins, amino
acids, and organic compounds which can act as growth regulators, making these
organic sources excellent additives for in-vitro cultivation. The aim of
this study was to develop a protocol for in-vitro micropropagation and
acclimatization of Epidendrum nocturnum using organic supplements in the
growth media and various substrates at the acclimatization stage. Banana
powder, coconut water, and potato dextrose were added to a basal seed sowing
media and evaluated for seed germination percentage and plantlet growth. In
addition, various substrates such as coconut coir, horticultural charcoal,
sphagnum moss, and wood bark were evaluated for height, number of leaves, and
number of shoots in the acclimatization portion of this study. The culture
medium with coconut water showed a greater germination percentage (71.00% and
76.75%) compared with the control (37.50% and 45.50%) at 60 and 90 days after
seed sowing, respectively. Media with organic supplements showed greater values
of plant length and number of roots compared with the control. The combination
of coconut coir and horticultural charcoal was shown to be more efficient than
the combination of sphagnum moss, horticultural charcoal, and wood bark, as
results showed greater values of plant height and number of leaves at 30, 90,
and 120 days after transplantation in acclimatization of E. nocturnum.