In vitro seed germination and seedling development of Coelogyne flaccida Lindl. (Orchidaceae)

Coelogyne flaccida Lindl., an epiphytic orchid native to Nepal, has high ornamental and medicinal values and is found at elevations ranging from 900 to 1100 m. In this work in vitro seed germination and seedling development of this orchid was carried out on 0.8% (w/v) agar solidified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different combinations of α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP). MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA was found to be the ideal condition for the complete development of the seedlings. The germination started after six weeks of culture and developed seedlings were obtained after 22 weeks of culture on the medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA. In the medium without hormone application, germination started after five weeks, but roots were not developed even after 32 weeks of culture, suggesting the usefulness of NAA in root induction. The present study has provided useful information that both phytohormones, BAP and NAA are necessary for the fast growth and development of the in vitro grown seedlings