(36(4):357-366)Comparison on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Composition between Plants of Anoectochilus Species from Mass Vegetative Propagation by Tissue Culture Techniques

金線連之無菌培殖體培養於含5ppmBA及0.3%活性碳之基本固體培養基上，可誘導8倍芽體之生成及根系之正常發展，金線連之無菌小芽於液體震盪培養後，亦能得到大量繁殖的結果。 金線連組織培養瓶苗於馴化、假植及擇健株定植於1100m之霧社地區，其成活率達90%以上。臺灣金線連在18個月之生長期中，平均每個月植株增高、增重及莖徑加粗之速率為0.5cm、0.2g及0.2mm。產量增加較大的三個生育期，即第10、12及18個月，應為採收的較佳時期。生長15個月後，臺灣金線連比高雄金線連有較小的株高及節間距離，但其莖徑較粗且葉長、葉寬、葉重及葉面積較佔優勢，所以有較大的鮮重。 臺灣金線連之營養成分中除含水率達87%，尚含甚高量之脂質、維生素C及礦物質。脂質及維生素C之含量遠高於一般之果蔬類食品。兩種金線連在C、P、K、Na及Mg五種重要礦物元素之含量亦甚高，每1OOg中分別含有Ca279mg、P193mg、K806mg;Na188mg及Mg270mg。此外，尚含有Fe 51.7mg、Mnl3.8mg、Zn9.3mg及Cu2.6mg。 Shoot tips of pearl orchid (Anoectochilus sp.) plants were cultured in vitro and node segments of the derived plants were subcultured in either liquid or solid medium aimed to develop a method of mass propagation of this rare medicinal herb. Results showed a multiplication rate of 8.5 times with excellent rooting when explants were cultured in either liquid or solid medium containing MS basal salts with 5mg/l of 6-benz-yladenine and 0.3% of charcoal. The derived plants were transplanted and cultivated in Wusheo area at an elevation of 1,100m. Survival rate was as high as 90% after 18 months of cultivation. The average monthly increasing amounts of plant height, fresh weight and stem diameter were 0.5cm, 0.2g and 0.2mm, respectively. Suitable stages of harvest were 10, 12 and 18 months after transplanting based on the result of increasing rate of growth parameters. Comparison on some growth characteristics between A. formosanus and A. koshunensis after 15 months of cultivation revealed that the former species was inferior in plant height and internode length, but superior in length, width, area and fresh weight of leaves and in stem diameter to the latter. A. formosanus was also heavier in total fresh weight and hence was more productive commercially. Analysis of chemical components of the two species showed that A. formosanus was higher in the contents of moisture, fat, vitamin C and mineral elements than A. koshunensis. The amounts of fat and vitamin C in orchid pearl exceeded those of fruits and vegetables. Contents of mineral elements per l00g dry weight for both species were 279mg Ca, 193mg P, 806mg K, 188mg Na and 270mg Mg. Contents of other trace elements were 51.7rng Fe, 13.8mg Mn, 9.3mg Zn and 2.6mg Cu