Principle
- An orchid maintenance medium has been developed for the in vitro maintenance of orchids.
- The formulation comprises macronutrients, micronutrients, carbon sources, amino acids, and vitamins.
- The macronutrients contain essential elements like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) for satisfactory growth and morphogenesis. The micronutrients include iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo) required for the growth of plant tissue and cells.
- Carbohydrates are used as carbon sources and energy sources. Sucrose was reported to act as a morphogenetic trigger in the formation of auxiliary buds and the branching of the adventitious roots.
- Amino acids are used for optimal growth, they are important for establishing cultures of cells and protoplasts. Amino acids provide plant cells with a source of nitrogen that is easily assimilated by tissues and cells faster than inorganic nitrogen sources.
- Vitamins are required for the normal growth and development of plant cells; plants require them as catalysts in various metabolic processes. The commonly used vitamins are thiamin (B1), nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine (B6). Thiamin is necessarily required by all cells for growth. Nicotinic acid and pyridoxine, however not essential for the cell growth of many species, are often added to culture media.
- In some media, myo-inositol is added in small quantities to stimulate the cell growth of most plant species. It is believed to play a role in cell division because of its breakdown into ascorbic acid and pectin and incorporation into phosphoinositides and phosphatidyl-inositol.
Use:
Recommendation for the in vitro propagation of Orchid plants
