Artificial seed technology: Development of a protocol in Geodorum densiflorum (Lam) Schltr.-An endangered orchid

摘要

The research communication reports the production of artificial seeds through encapsulation of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) Of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam) Schltr.-an endangered orchid taxon of Terai Hills, North-eastern Himalaya. 30-day-old PLBs were encapsulated in sodium alginate. Germination and regeneration capacity of the encapsulated seeds were tested by germinating such seeds in modified Knudson C (KnC) medium supplemented with coconut milk 15% (v/v), peptone (2 g l~(-1)), 6-benzyl-aminopurine (2 mg l~(-1)), and #alpha#-napthaleneacetic acid (1 mg l~(-1)). 88% Germination was recorded. Artificial seeds stored at 4 deg C, for 120 days showed no reduction in viability. Non-encapsulated PLBs showed no viability after 30 days at 4 deg C. Artificial seeds showed 28% viability when directly transferred to nonsterile soil condition after incorporating food preservative and fungicide in its encapsulating gel.