encapsulation of protocorm of cymbidium bicolor lindl. for short-term storage and germplasm exchange

the present study describes the encapsulation of protocorm of cymbidium bicolor lindl. from 60 days-old in seed cultures for short- term conservation and propagation. various concentrations and combinations of gelling matrix (sodium alginate) and complexing agents (calcium chloride) were tested to prepare uniform beads. the ideal beads were ob- tained through a combination of 3% sodium alginate and 100 mm calcium chloride. encapsulated protocorms exhibited the best re-growth and con- version frequency on ms medium supplemented with ba (4.42 μm). en- capsulated protocorms stored at 25°c were green and retained the viability with potential for conversion (52%) and germination even after 360 days. the encapsulated protocorms stored at 4°c remained viable up to 30 days beyond which the conversion rate decreased drastically. well-de veloped plantlets were transplanted into plastic pots containing vermiculite and maintained for 60 days in the culture room for acclimatization. the 90% of the recovered plantlets were hardened off and established suc-cessfully in the soil. the present study could be useful for large scale propagation as well as short term storage of this commercial orchid