Effects of culture medium and supplementation on seed germination, protocorm formation and regeneration of some Phalaenopsis hybrids

An efficient protocol is suggested for in vitro culture of five Phalaenopsis hybrids obtained by hand-cross-pollination of three commercial hybrids Calgary, Ankara, and Kendall. Four nutrient media- namely half-strength Murashige and Skoog, Knudson, Phytamax containing activated charcoal, and Mitra– once supplemented (with coconut water, peptone, or both), and once without any supplement were considered as the experimental and control groups of the study which were then compared and evaluated for seed germination and protocorm formation. All of the seeds of hybrids H and N were germinated on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with peptone. To evaluate plant regeneration rate, three different media including half-strength Murashige and Skoog, Viking-Ship containing 2.75gr/L NPK (10-20-30), and Hyponex containing [1gr/L NPK (20-20-20)+1gr/L NPK (6.5-6-19)] were compared. The maximum number of healthy plantlets, roots per plantlet, and leaves per plantlet were induced in the half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Around 93% of the plants produced in vitro were able to establish ex vitro. The obtained results showed that, the use of the half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium is well suited for the mass propagation of Phalaenopsis.