<i>In vitro</i> seed germination and seedling development of the orchid <i>Coelogyne stricta</i> (D. Don) Schltr.

Abstract

Coelogyne stricta (D. Don) Schltr., an orchid of high ornamental and medicinal values, is native to Nepal at 1400 to 2000 m elevations. In vitro seed germination and seedling development was carried out on 0.8% (w/v) agar solidified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented with various combinations of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA was found to be the best condition for the development. The germination started after 7 weeks of culture and complete seedlings were obtained after 23 weeks of culture on the medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA suggesting the usefulness of both hormones in root induction. In the hormone, free MS medium germination started after 5 weeks, but root initials were not developed even after 32 weeks of culture.

Keywords: Coelogyne stricta, in vitro, Murashige and Skoog (MS), 6 benzylaminopurine (BAP), α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)