In vitro conservation of Dendrobium germplasm

Area of Science:

• * Botany
• * Plant Biotechnology
• * Conservation Biology

Background:

• * Dendrobium orchids are diverse and valuable for medicinal properties and as ornamental commodities.
• * Preservation of Dendrobium germplasm is vital for species conservation, breeding, and the floriculture industry.
• * Cryopreservation is the most effective long-term storage method for plant genetic resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review 16 years of literature on Dendrobium germplasm preservation.
• * To assess the reliability and reproducibility of cryopreservation studies in Dendrobium.
• * To provide a comprehensive overview of current cryopreservation methodologies and explants used.

Main Methods:

• * Review of scientific literature on Dendrobium cryopreservation.
• * Analysis of various cryopreservation techniques including air-drying, encapsulation-dehydration, encapsulation-vitrification, vitrification, and droplet-vitrification.
• * Examination of cryopreserved explants such as mature seeds, pollen, protoplasts, shoot primordia, protocorms, and protocorm-like bodies (PLBs).

Main Results:

• * Cryopreservation has been successfully applied to various Dendrobium explants.
• * Encapsulation-vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration are the most frequently employed cryopreservation protocols.
• * Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) are the most commonly cryopreserved explant type in Dendrobium.

Conclusions:

• * Cryopreservation is a viable and effective strategy for the long-term conservation of Dendrobium germplasm.
• * Established protocols like encapsulation-vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration demonstrate reliable results for Dendrobium preservation.
• * Continued research and application of cryopreservation are essential for safeguarding Dendrobium genetic resources for future use.