Smoke saturated water promoted in vitro seed germination of an epiphytic orchid Oberonia ensiformis (Rees) Lindl.

This study highlights for the first time an in vitro seed germination of an epiphytic orchid Oberonia ensiformis (Rees) Lindl, from the Western Ghat Forest of Karnataka state,India promoted by smoke saturated water (SSW). High percentage germination (85%) andhigh percentage of plantlet recovery (73%) was achieved by culturing seeds on Mitra et al.(1976) basal medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) SSW. Well-rooted shoots weretransferred to pots containing charcoal chips, coconut husk and broken tiles (2:2:1) and 90%survived. Therefore, the role of SSW as a natural growth regulator at different stages ofdevelopment from seed germination to plant regeneration has been confirmed