Our study was to develop a rapid and successful method for promoting asymbiotic seed germination and growth and development of protocorm like bodies (PLBs) and subsequent plantlets of Phalaenopsis orchid. Four basal media i.e. Murashige and Skoog (MS), half strength MS (½MS), Knudson C (KC) and, Vacin and Went (VW) supplemented with coconut water and peptone were examined for their effectivenes...

An efficient protocol is suggested for in vitro culture of five Phalaenopsis hybrids obtained by hand-cross-pollination of three commercial hybrids Calgary, Ankara, and Kendall. Four nutrient media- namely half-strength Murashige and Skoog, Knudson, Phytamax containing activated charcoal, and Mitra– once supplemented (with coconut water, peptone, or both), and once without any supplement were c...

This research was supported through a grant from the USDA-NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture). The corresponding author and her student (NS) wish to thank USDA-NIFA and Windward Community College Chancellor’s Advancement Fund for travel funding to present this poster at the Fourth Scientific Conference on Andean Orchids in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Special thanks to Professor David Chri...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Species in the holoparasitic plant family Rafflesiaceae exhibit one of the most highly modified vegetative bodies in flowering plants. Apart from the flower shoot and associated bracts, the parasite is a mycelium-like endophyte living inside their grapevine hosts. This study provides a comprehensive treatment of the endophytic vegetative body for all three genera of Rafflesi...