Short-term storage of alginate-encapsulated protocorm-like bodies of Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi (Breda) Blume &Rchb. f.

Abstract

Protocorm-like bodies (PLB) of Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi (Breda) Blume &Rchb. f. derived from wounded protocorm segments culturing on =Murashige and Skoog, 1962 (MS) medium containing 0.1 mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L TDZ. Encapsulation of the PLB using 3% sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride dissolved in ND liquid medium supplemented 2% (w/v) sucrose. Among the three temperature regimes of storage (4±1°C, 8±1°C, 25±1°C), encapsulated PLB stored at 25±1°C, for 30 days showed maximum percentage of germination at 100 when culture on ND medium supplemented with 4% (w/v) sucrose with 0.2% (w/v) activated charcoal (AC). Plantlets regenerated from capsules were acclimatized successfully with 100% survival rate. Morphological characteristics of those plantlets were normal and ploidy level was the same as controlled plantlets as revealed by flow cytometry.