Effect of Organic Matter on the Growth of Cymbidium Protocorms Cultured in vitro

Abstract

This paper is a report about the effect of culture medium organic matter on the growth of Cymbidium protocorms.The protocorms, having had their physiological and morphological conditions equalized by sub-culturing 16 times, were cultured in various media. As the basal medium, Knudson′s C solution, White′s mineral salt solution and the Kyoto solution were used. Organic matter such as pepton and juices of banana, apple and potato were added to each of the basal solutions.The following is an outline of the results:(1) When Knudson′s C basal solution was used, the medium containing both banana and apple juice most effectively promoted the growth of protocorms and their shoots and roots. There was a noticeable promotive effect even when banana juice was used alone.(2) When organic matter was added to White′s mineral salt solution, a noticeable promotion of growth was observed in the medium containing both banana and apple juice, but the promotion was not so great as in the medium with banana alone.(3) When Kyoto solution was used as the basal medium, the application of banana juice alone was most effective in promoting the growth of the shoots of protocorms and their roots, followed by the application of banana juice together with pepton.(4) When 15% banana juice was applied to the basal medium, a considerable growth of shoots and roots was observed and well-developed plantlets were obtained.(5) White′s solution enriched with 15% banana juice was the best medium for the growth of Cymbidium plantlets.