An Effective Nutrient Medium for Asymbiotic Seed Germination and In Vitro Seedling Development of Phalaenopsis ‘Bahia Blanca’

The objective of the present study was to develop a rapid and successful method for promoting asymbiotic seed germination and growth and development of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) and subsequent plantlets of Phalaenopsis orchid. Four basal media, i.e. Murashige and Skoog (MS), half-strength MS (½MS), Knudson C (KC), and Vacin and Went (VW) supplemented with coconut water and peptone, were examined for their effectiveness in large-scale multiplication by asymbiotic seed germination. Seed germination, leaf number, root number, root length, seedling length, and fresh and dry weight were scored. Well-rooted plantlets 4-cm in height were transferred to a greenhouse in trays containing expanded clay, charcoal, cocopeat and perlite (4:2:1:1) or sphagnum moss. The seed germination frequency and seedling development were found to be significantly higher in organic growth supplement-enriched MS and ½MS media. The results indicated that the highest seed germination (94%) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 100 mg/L coconut water or 1 g/L peptone and ½MS containing 1 or 2 g/L peptone. However, the longest seedling was found in MS or ½MS media supplemented with 100 mg/L coconut water or MS containing 1 g/L peptone. Ninety-seven percent of plantlets survived after 1 month in mixture media expanded clay: charcoal: cocopeat: perlite.