Micropropagation of terrestrial orchids, <i>Anoectochilus sikkimensis </i>and <i>Anoectochilus regalis</i>

Abstract

Two horticulturally important jewel orchids of the genus <i>Anoectochilus </i>were successfully micropropagated, Isolated nodes of <i>A. sikkimensis </i>collected from Sikkim in Eastern Himalayas and subsequently reared under nursery conditions and <i>A. regalis </i>collected from Western Ghats in Southern India were cultured for 12 weeks on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) to produce a maximum of 4.8 and 5.6 callus- free axillary shoots respectively at 95 and 98% efficiency. During reculture of the explants from <i>in vitro </i>raised shoots under the same conditions, the total number of shoots obtained from the nodes (21.4) and shoot tips (8.2) of <i>A. regalis </i>were significantly higher than those hardy and slow growing shoots of <i>A</i>. <i>sikkimensis </i>(12.3 and 4.3) respectively. Shoots (4-6 cm) were rooted in medium containing NAA (2.70 μ<i>M</i>) and activated charcoal (0.2%). The rooted plants established at 95-98% rate in community pots after hardening. After 6 months, green house adapted community potted plants of <i>A. regalis </i>were transferred to natural forest habitat locally with 95 and 70% survival respectively after 12 months.The plants, established in community pots and native forest habitat were free from any morphological and growth defects.