In vitro hardening and acclimatization of seedling of Dendrobium hybrid

Abstract

In tissue culture, transferring of small plantlets without proper in vitro hardening results in higher mortality rate. An effort was therefore made using Dendrobium hybrid (HBD-V-19.5-10-SPT) towards devising the ways and means to overcome the mortality problems. The two leaf stage plants were used as explants for the experiment and were cultured in half strength Nitch basal media lacking in sucrose, vitamins and organic component; but having sterilized bricks pieces, charcoal and coconut husk. The explants 1 cm (appx.) in size were sterilized twice before mixing with media @ 25 g each of brick pieces, charcoal and coconut husk used in combination of 1:1 ratio i.e., brick pieces + charcoal, brick pieces + coconut husk, coconut husk _ charcoal and control, with and without activated charcoal (AC). After six months, plantlets were transferred to community pots containing respective potting mixture as that of in in vitro hardeing and plantlets from the control treatment were potted in potting mixture comprising brick + charcoal + coconut husk (1:1:1) and survival % was recorded after three months. The results revealed cent per cent survivability in the treatments of 'brick pieces + charcoal' and 'brick pieces + coconut husk'.