Tissue culture studies on Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz

Abstract

An efficient protocol for seed germination and micropropagation of Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz. was established. Four nutrient media were used for seed germination and early protocorm development: Murashige and Skoog (MS), half –strength MS, Knudson ‘C’ (KC), and Vasin and Went (VW); combinations and alone of four plant growth regulators i.e. 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), α-napthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were studied. MS medium was found as most ideal for seed germination (98±0.48) and lowest in VW (71.12 ±0.42). 3 months old protocorm were sub cultured on fresh MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, KN, NAA, and IBA alone and in combination. After 30 days highest secondary protocorms (21.25±0.63) were observed in MS medium containing BAP (4.0μM). MS medium supplemented with 8μM IBA induced the maximum roots per shoot. After 16 days of transfer to green house the survival rate was 88%.