In vitro propagation of Dendrobium macrostachyum Lindl.--a threatened orchid.

In vitro propagation of Dendrobium macrostachyum, a threatened and endemic species was achieved through nodal explants. The nodal explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium and MS medium supplemented with N6-benzyladenine (BA-2.22, 4.44 and 8.88 microM), Kinetin (KN-2.32, 4.65, and 9.29 microM) and Coconut water (CW, 5, 10 and 15%) individually or in combination with 2.69 microM alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Axillary shoots were induced directly from nodal explants in medium containing BA, KN or CW. Optimal shoot induction (6 shoots/explant) was attained from nodal explants cultured on medium supplemented with 15% CW. Well developed shoots rooted at an average 5 roots per shoot in half strength MS medium devoid of any growth regulators.

Direct somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from leaf explants of niger, Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) using a simple one step method. Leaf explants were cultured on MS medium with 2,4-D and BAP/Kn individually and in combination. Somatic embryogenesis occurred directly without an intervening callus proliferation phase from subepidermal regions of leaf explants on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.0 and 5.0 microM) plus Kn/BAP (1.0 and 2.0 microM). Regenerated somatic embryos were successfully grown into whole plants.