Intergeneric hybridization of Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) Garay with Ascocentrum spp.

Abstract

Intergeneric hybrids of Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) with Ascocentrum spp. were developed using Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) as a female parent and Ascocentrum spp. including Ascocentrum curvifolium (L.) Schltr. and Ascocentrum miniatum (L.) Schltr., as male parents. Pollinia of Ascocentrum spp. were collected from the flowers after 2 d of blooming and then were pollinated with the Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) flowers by hand-pollination. Results showed that the percentage of successful for pod formation was crosses between Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum curvifolium (L.) Schltr. and Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum miniatum (L.) Schltr. about 80 and 20%, respectively. Sizes of Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum curvifolium (L.) and Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum miniatum (L.) Schltr. mature pods were about 3.75 cm in length × 0.50 cm in width and 2.69 cm in length × 0.48 cm in width after 168 and 180 d of pollination, respectively. Pods of two hybrids produced seeds. Seeds of Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum curvifolium (L.) and Seidenfadenia mitrata (Rchb.f.) × Ascocentrum miniatum (L.) Schltr. germinated into protocorms after 60 and 40 d of sowing on MS agar medium (1962), respectively. Protocorms developed into shoots and roots after tranfered to modified VW agar medium (1949) supplemented with 150 mL L-1 coconut water, 10 g L-1 sucrose, 2 g L-1 activated charcoal, 7 g L-1 agar, and pH at 5.2. Plantlets of two hybrids were successfully acclimatized and grew in greenhouse conditions.