Differential Responses of 6-Benzyladenine and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid on Regeneration Competence of Pseudobulb Segments in Dendrobium moschatum sw. (Orchidaceae)

This study was carried out to evaluate the differential responses of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on regeneration competence of pseudobulb segments of Dendrobium moschatum Sw., an epiphytic orchid of immense ornamental importance. Mitra et al. (1976) media supplemented with different (0.5–2 mgl⁻¹) concentrations of BA and NAA were employed to elucidate their multivariate effects on morphogenetic parameters using response surface methodology. Surface analysis clearly indicated that regeneration response, at both lower and higher concentrations of BA, increased with increase in NAA levels. The proliferative potential of pseudobulb explants was markedly influenced by their position on donor axis; basal segments were better used for inducing multiple proliferative loci. An average of 28.8 plantlets could be harvested on medium supplemented with BA (2mgl⁻¹) and NAA (0.5mgl⁻¹) within 24 weeks. The present protocol can serve as an aid for propagation and conservation of diminishing natural populations of D. moschatu.