Rapid in vitro propagation of Dendrobium hybrids through direct shoot formation from foliar explants, and protocorm-like bodies

In vitro propagation protocol for Dendrobium hybrids Sonia 17 and 28, two highly priced commercial cut flower cultivars through direct organogenesis from in vitro derived foliar explants was established. Rapid clonal propagation was achieved by subsequent induction of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) and its conversion to shoots. No significant differences were observed in the induction of direct shoots, shoot multiplication, PLBs formation and subsequent shoot development and rooting of shoots between the two cultivars. Leaf explants from flower stalk node derived shoots cultured on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 44.4 μM N6-benzyladenine (BA) developed more than seven shoots per explant. The isolated shoots transferred onto the same medium induced more than eight PLBs from the base within 60 days, which upon transferral to fresh medium having the same level of BA facilitated rapid proliferation. More than 200 PLBs were yielded from fifth subculture. Half-strength MS medium containing 6.97 μM kinetin (Kn) facilitated conversion of more than 90% PLBs to shoots. PLBs exhibited proliferation without decline up to the 15th subculture. Half-strength MS medium with 2 g l−1 activated charcoal was the best for in vitro rooting. Plantlets of the hybrids exhibited more than 80% ex vitro establishment.