Authors : A. R. Patil and S. S. Patil
Page Nos : 135-140
Description :
Orchidaceae represents a peak in the evolution of monocots and is one of the most successful families of flowering plants, as is clear from the wide distribution and its innumerable number of species spread all over the world (Arditti,1979).The innumerable number of dust like non- endospermous seed and their peculiar mode of germination which requires association with the mycorrhizal fungi are the peculiarities which characterise the orchid family. Orchid seeds are well known for their small size (0.15-6.0 mm) and their number per capsule from 6000 - 4 million and weighing as little as microgram (Ziegler,1981; Dressler,1993) In general they lack endosperm and instead form mycorrhizal relationship for germination and early growth. In present work attempt has been made to germinate orchid seeds in vitro by using a tissue culture media (Knudson C). Seeds of terrestrial orchid Habenaria longicorniculata J. Graham were cultured in an attempt to raise the seedlings up to the level of protocorm development.
Keywords : Orchids , Habenaria longicorniculata, mycorrhizal fungi ,Knudson C media.
