Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Eur-Hsuan Hsiang, Wei-Ting Tsai*, Ting-Fang Hsieh, Toshikazu Matsumoto, and Takao Niino

Abstract:

    Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume and Phalaenopsis aphrodite Rchb. f., are important native species of white flower Phalaenopsis used in the orchid breeding program.  The objective of this study was to determine effects of seed-drying and cryopreservation on seed viability of these two native Phalaenopsis species.  Results showed that viability and germination of Phal. amabilis seeds, with or without cryopreservation treatment, decreased with increased time of drying treatment.  Germination rates of seeds of Phal. amabilis drying for 0, 1, 4 and 7 days and then treated by cryopreservation were 99.7, 96.7, 87.0 and 72.0%, respectively.  In Phal. aphrodite, cryopreservation of fresh seeds without pre-treatment of seed drying resulted in complete loss of seed viability and germinability.  However, when the seeds were dried for 1–7 days and then treated with cryopreservation, viability and germination of seeds of Phal. aphrodite remained high, 77.0% for viability and 87.0% for germination.  These results indicate that the time required for seed drying treatment before cryopreservation varies between Phal. amabilis and Phal. aphrodite and that seeds drying for 1 day before cryopreservation can maintain the same viability as the fresh seeds without cryopreservation.

Key words:Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Seed, Cryopreservation

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