Embryo Culture and Artificial Seed Production of Spathoglottis Plicata and Rhynchostylis Retusa

The highest seed germination and its subsequent growth and protocorm development of Spathoglottis plicata were optimum on Knudson C medium supplemented with CW 150 ml/1, ME 0.5 g/I, KN 0.5 mg/1, IAA 0.5 mg/1 and TJ 50 ml/1. However, subculturing of protocorm on Knudson C medium supplemented with KN 1 mg/1 and NAA 0.1 mg/1 resulted in healthier seedling growth. In Rhynchostylis retusa, highest frequency of germination and protocorm development were observed in Knudson C medium, supplemented with ME 0.5 g/1, NAA 1 mg/1 and BAP 1 mg/1. Subculturing of protocorm on Knudson C medium supplemented with peptone (1 g/1) and NAA (1.5 mg/1) gave best subsequent growth and development of protocorms. The hardened seedlings of S. plicata showed a higher survival (90%) than non hardened seedlings (80%) on transplanting to community pots. The full grown protocorms (150 days old) of S. plicata and R. retusa were encapsulated for artificial seed production. The artificial seed stored at 4°C under liquid paraffin showed significant increase in storage life as well as regeneration potential and could be stored upto 90 and 120 days, respectively.