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