In vitro propagation of Dendrobium hybrids using flower stalk node explants

Area of Science:

• Plant Biotechnology
• Horticultural Science
• In Vitro Propagation

Background:

• Dendrobium hybrids are commercially important cut flowers.
• Efficient large-scale propagation is crucial for meeting market demand.
• Existing propagation methods may have limitations in scalability or efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a large-scale in vitro propagation protocol for Dendrobium hybrids Sonia 17 and 28.
• To optimize shoot multiplication and protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) formation.
• To evaluate the efficiency of the protocol for commercial cut flower production.

Main Methods:

• Utilized flower stalk node explants and PLBs for propagation.
• Tested various media formulations including Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of kinetin (Kn), coconut water (CW), and N6-benzyladenine (BA).
• Optimized conditions for bud break, shoot multiplication, PLB induction and proliferation, shoot conversion, and rooting.

Main Results:

• Bud break was effectively induced using Kn, CW, or BA.
• Kinetin (Kn) promoted better initial bud growth, while N6-benzyladenine (BA) at 44.4 microM induced prolific PLB formation and multiplication.
• Over 90% of PLBs converted to shoots on MS medium with 6.97 microM Kn, and plantlets showed over 80% survival after acclimatization.

Conclusions:

• A robust and efficient in vitro propagation protocol was successfully developed for Dendrobium hybrids Sonia 17 and 28.
• The protocol facilitates large-scale production of these valuable commercial cut flower cultivars.
• The established method ensures high multiplication rates and successful plant establishment, meeting commercial demands.