Induction and morphogenesis of Phalaenopsis callus

Protocorm-like body (PLB) segments of Phalaenopsis var. Hawaiian Clouds x Phalaenopsis Carmela s Dream, cultured on half strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of sucrose, were maintained in the dark at 25 ± 2°C. Friable callus, white to brownish-white in colour were successfully induced on medium containing 30 g/litre of sucrose. Induction of PLBs from callus was carried out on medium supplemented with different combinations of sucrose and maltose at concentration levels between 0 and 10 g/litre. New Dogashima medium (NDM) containing 1 mg/litre of thidiazuron (TDZ) and solidified with 2.8 g/litre of Gelrite was used as basal medium. Callus formed PLBs on all medium supplemented with 5 and 10 g/litre of maltose, except those on medium with 10 g/litre of sucrose. An average of 52.5% of callus formed PLBs on medium supplemented with 10 g/litre of maltose without sucrose. Formation of PLBs occurred in all the clumps of callus cultured on medium with addition of 10 g/litre of maltose alone. PLBs derived from the callus were able to regenerate into plantlets.