Effective and rapid in vitro plantlet regeneration from protocorms of Cymbidium aloifolium using chitosan, coconut water and potato extract were investigated. Two experiments were performed using twelve week old protocorms of size 2-3 mm. In the first experiment, the protocorms were propagated on solid New Dogashima (ND) medium supplemented with various concentrations of chitosan (0, 0.05, 0.10 and 1.00 mg/l). For the second experiment, the protocorms were cultured on the same medium supplemented with coconut water (0, 100, 150 and 200 ml/l) and potato extract (0, 5, 10 and 15 g/l). Survival and response percentages, shoot number and length, root number and length, leaf number and fresh and dry weight were collected after 10 weeks of culture. The results showed that 0.05 mg/l chitosan treatment was the most effective for protocorm growth, producing the highest shoot number and length, root number and length, leaf number, and fresh and dry weight. The combination of coconut water and potato extract treatments revealed that 150 ml/l coconut water alone was the best for plantlet regeneration and growth, shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry weight. This treatment gave significantly different results from the other treatments. Findings will provide useful information for other in vitro commercial or conservation orchid propagation programs.
Keywords: chitosan; coconut water; growth; potato extract; orchid
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