Propagation of Haemaria discolor via in vitro seed germination

Abstract

In vitro propagation protocol for Haemaria discolor (Ker) Lindl. var. dawsoniana by artificial cross-pollination and asymbiotic germination of seeds has been developed. Fruit set (100 %) was obtained when the pollinia and ovules of various aged flowers were used for pollination. In vitro germination of seeds obtained from capsules of various ages was achieved on half-strength Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 3 % sucrose and 0.85 % agar. The germinated seedlings were cultured on half-strength MS medium with 0.2 % activated charcoal, 8 % banana homogenate, 0.1 mg dm−3 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea (TDZ) and 1 mg dm−3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Ninety-six percent of plantlets survived after hardening in greenhouse.