In vitro propagation of Paphiopedilum orchids (P.o.)
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In vivo Paphiopedilum orchid |
The focus of this blog is on the asymbiotic in
vitro seed germination of P.o. with its
pitfalls. To understand this, it is
essential to know the in vivo process of symbiotic germination. Other processes
are only described briefly, otherwise it would break the mold.
Under natural conditions P.o. are propagated vegetative (asexual; division of the rhizome)
or generative (sexual; propagation through seed) (Sprunger, 2012).
Generative in vivo propagation of P.o.
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Seed capsula of an orchid with thousands of seeds |
Orchid seeds don’t have reserve-substances
(endosperm) to feed the germinating embryo, which is about 30 cells big. Under
in vivo conditions they get nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi. Normally mycorrhizal fungi
form symbioses (the symbiosis it self is called mycorrhiza) with other plants,
but in the case of in vivo orchid germination, only the orchid profits until
the plant can operate photosynthesis. Orchid seeds release attractants which make
mycorhizal hyphae grow towards those seeds with the aim to digest them. The hyphae are capable to break through the
hard, germinate-inhibiting and waterproof shell (carapace; according to current
knowledge it is in fact still not clarified if the carapace is germinate-inhibiting
due to its waterproofness or to germinate-inhibiting substances or both) and
penetrate in the outer cells of the embryo. This activates the germinating-process
of the orchid seed. The embryo now turns the table and digests the hyphae. As
long as the orchid has no leaves in order to conduct photosynthesis, it acts as
a fungal parasite. Later on, when the orchid carries leaves, it forms a mycorrhizal
symbiosis. This germinating-process is called symbiotic
seed germination, although it isn’t really a symbiosis. (Bernert, 2006 - 2015)
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Seed of Cephalanthera longifolia with anemochoric extensions, in the center the dark carapace |
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Symbiotic seed germination |
In vitro propagation of P.o.
Besides the adoption of the mechanisms of in
vivo propagation in the laboratory, there are possibilities to circumvent the
natural principles, for example the replacement of the carapace-breaking
mycorrhizal fungus. The methods can be divided in two main techniques:
1)
Vegetative
propagation:
a. Propagation through the division of axillary buds is a
conventional but very inefficient and time consuming method (Zeng, et al., 2015).
b. Propagation through rhizome division.
When
the plant has at least six vegetation-points after flowering, the rhizomes can
be split up into fragments, which should content at least three bulbs and at
least two bunches of leaves. The connected roots are divided carefully, dead
root-parts are removed and treated with active carbon to protect the cut
surface.
(Sprunger, 2012); (Violeta,
kein Datum);
(Unger, 2013)
2)
Generative
propagation:
a. Symbiotic seed germination (with mycorrhizal fungus)
b. Asymbiotic seed germination (without mycorrhizal fungus)
(Bernert, 2006 - 2015)
(Bernert, 2006 - 2015)
For symbiotic in vitro seed germination of P.o., the appropriate mycorrhizal fungus
is isolated and cultivated separately on agar. After all the required nutrition
are added (macro- and micronutrients, which the plant would get out of soil
under in vivo conditions), the P.o.-seeds
are placed on this breeding ground. The
interaction with the mycorrhizal fungus will ensure the germination (Sprunger, 2012). Some steps in
asymbiotic seed germination are analogue to the symbiotic seed germination, for
example the mixture of agar, and can be taken from the text below.
Asymbiotic in vitro seed germination
In asymbiotic seed germination under in vitro
conditions, there is no mycorrhizal fungus used. So how the carapace is vanquished?
How is the seedling fed until its autotrophic nutrition through photosynthesis?
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Orchid seeds on Agar |
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In vitro orchid |
If you want to imitate in vitro propagation of P.o. or other orchids as described above, have a look at the website www.orchideen-im-garten.de (chapter Gastbeiträge), where Dr. Claus Rüdiger Bernet
reports of his experiences. Indeed it is in German, but you should be able to
read it. Besides of a list with the exact amount of the required substances, there
are also very good advice for private citizens on how to replace for private citizens unavailable substances (for example with pineapple- or potato-juice). These istructions are highly practical and based on theoretical background.
References
Bernert, C. R. (2006 - 2015). Orchideen im Garten. Von http://www.orchideen-im-garten.de/gast_saat1.php
abgerufen
Bernert, C. R. (2006 - 2015). Orchideen im Garten. Von
http://www.orchideen-im-garten.de/gast_saat7.php abgerufen
Sprunger, S. (2012). In-vitro Kultur einheimischer Orchideen.
Basel: Schweizerische Orchideenstiftung am Herbarium Jany Renz - Botanisches
Institut der Universität Basel.
Unger, M. (2013). Pagewizz. Von
http://pagewizz.com/orchideen-tipps-fuer-die-vegetative-vermehrung/ abgerufen
Violeta, R. (kein Datum). Pflanzenfreunde. Von http://www.pflanzenfreunde.com/paphiopedilum.htm
abgerufen
Zeng, S., Huang, W., Wu, K., Zhang, J., Teixeira da Silva, J., & Duan,
J. (2015). In vitro
propagation of Paphipedilum orchids. USA: informa healthcare - Critical Reviews in
Biotechnology.