Effect of Ascorbic acid, Proline and Mannitol on the Desiccation Tolerance of Synthetic Seeds in Rhynchostylis Retusa Bl

The study was carried out to assess the effect of ascorbic acid, proline and mannitol on the desiccation tolerance of synthetic seeds in Rhynchostylis retusa Bl. Synthetic seeds lost their -treatment with ascorbic acid (15mM), proline (1.5µM), and mannitol (50mM) for 5 weeks prior to encapsulation favoured nearly 90% germination response even after 24 weeks of storage. Interestingly, the morphogenetic development under the influence of proline (1.5µM), was associated with extensive water retention in the propagules and profuse rhizoidal hair formation. The present study highlight that these osmoprotectants could play a pivotal role in imparting desiccation tolerance and in turn increasing the viability upon long term storage of synthetic seeds. The above protocol can serve as an aid to germplasm conservation and multiplication of Rhynchostylis retusa.